The most unusual weapon of the Middle Ages (17 photos)

It is believed that people eventually invent ever more sophisticated and crazy ways of exterminating each other. But I must admit that a few centuries ago our ancestors have demonstrated ingenuity in this matter worthy of much better use.

This shield pistol allegedly belonged to the bodyguard of Henry VIII. In essence, it is an ordinary wooden shield, but with a hole for the barrel of the gun.


Crusher swords. The teeth on both sides intended to grab the sword of the enemy, and then to break one sharp movement wrist.


Dagger with two extra blades in the spring, which appears when you click the button on the handle.


Morning Star - under this romantic name implies clubs spiked with the core on the circuit.


Frondibola - siege weapon in the form of a lever, one of which was mounted a counterweight, but on the other - a shell.


With frondiboly throwing a variety of missiles, including the bodies of dead animals. They were used to spread the infection outside the walls of the castle.


Serponosnye chariot with blades on each wheel has cut the enemies to pieces just passing by.


Hung Mungo - missile weapon of the peoples of Africa is an iron knife or blade multiblade bizarre shapes.


Kaltrop - medieval version of anti-spikes, which were intended to slow the advancement of enemy cavalry.


Kulevriny - firearms for the riders, the ancestor of the musket and cannon.


Greek fire - fuel mixture, which the Byzantines used in naval battles. The composition of the mixture is unknown.


Boiling oil was poured on the heads of the invaders who were trying to infiltrate the fortress. If oil is not enough, in the course of the hot water went.


Hellbёrner - medieval weapons of mass destruction. These were the ships that exploded, approaching enemy ships.


Man catcher - used to reset the opponent off his horse. Often with the help of this tool were taken prisoner of the royal family to obtain a ransom.


Iron claw of Archimedes - hoisting machine, a kind of Crane, who plays for the city wall and equipped with a counterweight. When the Roman ship was trying to hit the beach near Syracuse, this "paw" seized his nose lifted and overturned.


The dead body. Looking at the peaceful landscape of the bottom, nothing wrong and do not tell. However, water is hiding in mortal danger - the body of the deceased. They were thrown into the water to the enemy, to quench their thirst, ill dangerous diseases before being fit to the walls of the fortress.


Shield-lantern - put together a set of functions. In addition to the built-in flashlight, it can be equipped with blades, spikes, gloves and so on.