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After the promotion of such TV projects as “Game of Thrones” and “Vikings”, interest in ancient weapons has increased significantly. The craft itself, the tournaments, the methods of training and, of course, the unique weapons are also curious.
At that time, the battles were merciless and bloody, and reasonable diplomacy was practically at zero. Therefore, in order to exterminate a large number of people, the most sophisticated and frightening methods were invented, achieving incredible success in the craft.
Today, right from the pages of historical chronicles, 10 types of the most ancient and most dangerous weapons have looked at us, which definitely arouse curiosity.
10 Hell burners
Back in 1584, during the Eighty Years’ War, Federig Giambelli decided to build a real weapon masterpiece.
To begin with, he removed the holds from the ships and placed the cement chambers, where he placed 3 thousand kilos of gunpowder. He closed the chambers with a marble roof and additionally filled the ships with dangerous missiles. In addition, watch mechanisms were built that set fire to all this dangerous cargo in a given period of time.
Two such ships eventually became the world’s first remote-action time bombs. After the explosion of the ships, cement blocks fell from the sky – well, like stone tombstones.
9. gun-axe
If you search, then many nationalities had at least one version of a weapon with a blade. Germany, on the other hand, surprised everyone with the projects of its ax guns, which are still presented in the Dresden Museum (the oldest specimens date back to the middle of the 15th century).
The weapon could be used both as a cleaver and as a gun at the same time, that is, the “sharp” nozzle did not have to be removed. Possibly, weapons for cavalry were developed, as evidenced by the extensions on the handles.
8. Hvacha
In the 16th century, Korea experienced a peak in the development of explosive ordnance. This is how the hwacha was built, which was a launch vehicle that launched more than 100 missiles in one salvo. The larger versions of the cannon used by the monarch could fire 200 rockets.
With each volley, layers of Korean opponents of the samurai fell to the ground. The ammunition was called “singijon” and in its design resembled an arrow that explodes on impact.
By 1592, Korea could introduce several hundred effective hwachas. During the siege of the fortress of Hengchgu, the Japanese tried to climb the hill 9 times, losing about 10 thousand samurai, before abandoning this venture.
7. Whip gun
In 1834, a patent was issued for a riding whip, in the handle of which a pistol was placed. Amazing, useful and dangerous at the same time! So, instead of pulling the trigger, the shooter had to press his thumb on the button on the side of the handle. This made it possible not to let go of the whip, but at the same time to gain access to the trigger.
It is known that one copy of such a weapon was definitely developed under the project. For many historians, it is puzzling, if only because it could only be discharged once. How skillful it was to be a cowboy!
6. Chinese flamethrower
The Chinese masters did not fully understand what a gunpowder weapon looked like, so they came up with their own strange modifications. So a kind of pipe was born that could spray fire based on a low-nitrate formula of gunpowder.
The “flamethrower” extracted fiery flashes around itself for 5 minutes. The cunning Chinese also mixed arsenic oxide into gunpowder, so the dangerous smoke caused convulsions, vomiting and convulsions in the enemy. And sometimes the pipe was stuffed with sharpened fragments of porcelain, which, flying out, ripped open the bodies of the attackers.
Thus, if the enemy did not die from physical injuries and did not roast on fire, then the internal systems began to fail due to exposure to arsenic. As a result, coma and death.
5. Cannon shields
Back in the 16th century, people decided that powerful guns could theoretically be strengthened with something. Henry VIII decided to take this idea seriously, laying the foundation for cannon shields, of which there were 46 in his arsenal.
They outwardly resembled wooden discs with a cannon in the center. Some were additionally lined with iron, while others also had metal mesh for precise aiming.
Although now historians call these attributes only decorative elements. Cannons were used to block the side of ships, and, probably, to organize a line of anti-personnel fire.
4. Three bow archballista
It was invented and improved during the heyday of the ancient Roman Empire. A huge crossbow was mounted on a cart, had an unbending arc. Solid wooden beams were placed between the rope coils, and when the lever was wound up, the ends of the crossbow arc turned around, twisting the coils and causing tension.
The Chinese took the idea of the Romans and improved the crossbow, first with 2, and then with 3 bows. The latter could even fire iron bolts at a range of more than 1,1 km.
3. rocket cats
In the middle of the 16th century, a German master wrote an interesting manual on organizing a siege. In one of the sections, he advised finding a cat that came from an enemy city and tying a bomb to it.
According to the theory, cats always walk up and return home. So this unfortunate animal would have returned to its hometown and unwittingly set fire to it.
No historical evidence of the use of such weapons has been found. It is noteworthy that the author of the project did not limit himself to cats, suggesting to use pigeons as well.
2. Vortex Catapult
Such a device was created in China in order to hit strategic targets with a high degree of probability using the “one shot – one death” method. The dimensions of the catapult were small, so it could be comfortably moved around the field, which gave it a strategic advantage.
In addition to high accuracy, the vortex catapult had other features: 2 lines and a holder each, which made it possible to place the shells strictly in the center.
1. Greek steam gun
Somehow, back in 214 BC, the Sicilian enemy Archimedes, who fought with the Roman Republic, developed a truly devastating weapon that easily burned ships at a distance of up to 150 meters.
The cannon itself was very simple in design: a copper pipe was located at the corners, and a clay projectile was placed inside. When heated, water was additionally supplied to the pipe under the projectile, which immediately evaporated and pushed the projectile towards the enemy. And upon impact, the clay projectile itself exploded, as a result of which combustible components set fire to wooden ships.
These are the interesting military solutions our ancestors had. How can you predict and prepare for an attack?