As Corporal Jones often said in the long-running BBC sitcom “ Dad’s Army ”: “They don't like it up 'em!” An old soldier, a veteran of the small wars of the British Empire, Jonesy was right, although it must be said that a large quantity of lead balls or bullets to demoralise the enemy always preceded any bayonet charge. From the early 17th- to the early 20th-century bayonets were infantry melee weapons used both defensively and offensively, usually in mass chargers or human w

The spear’s endearing simplicity has seen it adopted by virtually all cultures and societies across the globe. Indeed, the history of the spear is [almost] as old as that of homo sapiens where it has been used as a tool for hunting and/or fishing. Along with the club, knife, and axe, it is one of the earliest and most widespread tools ever developed by early humans. Even after the invention of other hunting weapons such as the bow and sling, the spear continued to be used, ei

Pictured below is a spear recovered from an outbuilding at a former family residence, at the time called “Parthia”, in Beckhampton, Wiltshire. It has been in the author’s possession since the 1980s but in the intervening 40+ years precisely what it was or where it came from was unknown. While its origin remains a mystery, the desire to identify whether it is, as suspected, an African spear finally demanded some research. Based on the evidence so far, it appears it is a possib

In warfare, throwing weapons at your enemies has a very long history indeed. In its simplest form, rocks could be hand-thrown by early man either to wound or kill their intended prey, whether animal or a rival human. The fire-hardened stick, or spear, also developed quite early on evolving first into a weapon tipped with knapped flint [1] and later, as metallurgy was discovered and harnessed, fitted with bronze and iron blades. Spears can be broadly divided into two categori

The Nepalese Kukri is instantly recognisable to anyone who has served alongside the men of the Brigade of Gurkhas or has a passing familiarity with bladed weapons. Its distinctive forward curving blade makes it useful as both a melee weapon and as a regular cutting tool. History Originating from the Indian subcontinent, but used throughout most of South Asia, the kukri probably developed from a domestic sickle or agricultural tool. Similar implements have existed in several

A beginner's guide to the history of duels and duelling.

A beginner's guide to guns and firearms related history.