Top 20 Most Unusual Historical Weapons

This armored vehicle was built in 1672 for King Charles II of England to defend his royal person on the battlefield. It weighed around 4 tons and featured a rotating turret housing several firearms, making it one of the earliest armored vehicles used in battle. Only one known replica remains today, and it is on display at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, England. The Chariot was designed by Sir Thomas Farrington, an English engineer, who envisioned such an invention as early as 1660. This early experiment marked a significant step towards modern armored warfare. Compared to other historical armored vehicles, its innovative rotating turret set it apart.

Built in the 8th century by the Saxons for use during battles against the Romans, this massive armored vehicle was constructed from wooden planks covered with iron straps and weighed around 20-30 tons. The driver stood above a crew of archers, who could shoot arrows while riding horses to attack enemy lines. Only archaeological finds and written descriptions suggest its existence, making it an enigmatic piece of early military history. Its heavy construction allowed for greater protection but limited mobility. This cumbersome vehicle reflects the limitations and primitive nature of war during that era.

The Gokstad ship, dated to the 9th century, was among the most advanced Viking vessels in terms of its size, design, and combat capabilities. Its hull could accommodate a crew of up to 70 men, as well as several rows of warriors holding spears or axes for hand-to-hand combat. Measuring about 19 meters long (62 feet) with 4-meter-deep keels, it was around 60 tons, making it one of the largest Viking ships ever discovered. Its sleeker design facilitated speed and agility, reflecting the Vikings' skills as both seafarers and warriors. Despite being centuries old, the Gokstad ship remains a testament to Norse craftsmanship.

Built around 1200 AD during the height of the Mongol Empire's expansion under Genghis Khan, this highly mobile combat vehicle featured two to three men riding horses attached to one side and carrying bows, arrows, and short swords on the other. Equipped with wooden shields or quilted material for protection, the chariots could reach speeds over 80 km/h (50 mph) on horseback, allowing Mongol warriors to quickly traverse the battlefield. With such mobility, the Mongols revolutionized medieval warfare by incorporating the "feigned retreat" tactic, creating confusion among enemy forces and achieving significant victories. Despite being made of lightweight materials, its innovative design showcased the resourcefulness of Mongolian engineers.

Developed in the 16th century as part of the Ottoman Empire's military arsenal, these massive war drums played a crucial role in creating sonic booms to disorient enemy forces during battles. Estimated to weigh over 200 pounds and standing up to 6 feet tall, they were crafted from a single piece of wood or metal, adorned with colorful tapestries to intimidate foes. While the effectiveness of war drums remains disputed, their deployment demonstrates the creative use of sound as a military tactic in that era. Their craftsmanship stands out among historical music instruments due to its significance in warfare.

Built by medieval European armies, particularly during the 14th century for siege warfare, this was a primitive form of advanced siege technology. Equipped with wooden frame and used to hurl heavy stones, bricks, or even human bodies at enemy fortifications, it demonstrated medieval engineering skills, which had developed significantly since Roman times. The Catapult could generate immense force to break down walls but lacked precision compared to later models like the trebuchet. Its size varied between 6 meters long (20 feet) and 8 meters tall (26 feet), underscoring its contribution to medieval warfare.

During the Viking Age, around 9th-11th centuries, kite-like contraptions were constructed primarily for naval warfare purposes. These early flight devices were made from wooden frames covered with animal hides and laced with ropes, weighing about 2 tons each. Equipped with iron tips at the bottom, they allowed sailors to drop heavy stones on enemy ships without needing to leave their vessels, illustrating the resourcefulness of Viking seafarers. The Flytinge remained an obscure piece of historical trivia until recent archaeological finds shed light on its potential use during naval battles.

Constructed in ancient China by the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), these siege engines were designed to break down enemy fortifications, often featuring a combination of wood and metal components. Estimated weights range from 10 tons for smaller versions to over 50 tons for more advanced models like the "Iron Tiger" which had multiple treads allowing it to traverse various terrain types, offering significant advantages in medieval warfare. With their advanced designs, these siege engines reflect China's significant technological advancements during that period.

Built by Arab engineers of Mamluk Egypt from the 13th to 16th centuries AD, these ballistae were an early form of advanced siege technology in Middle Eastern warfare. Constructed using metal frames to fire projectiles over long distances (reported ranges could reach up to 30 meters), they showcased significant advancements compared to earlier ancient war machines like the catapult. Equipped with wooden stocks and employing springs for added force, their efficiency made them a critical component of Mamluk fortifications. These innovations not only impacted regional warfare but also had broader influences on future military technology development.

Used during the 6th century BCE, by the Achaemenid Empire in its massive construction projects such as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, these stone catapults were among the earliest known siege engines designed to generate immense force upon impact. Often weighing over 40 tons and measuring up to 25 meters long (82 feet), they demonstrated considerable engineering prowess for that era, facilitating significant advancements in medieval warfare. Although their exact use during historical conflicts remains unclear due to incomplete records, it's evident that the Persian Catapult played a pivotal role in early military development.

Crafted by skilled Norse blacksmiths from the 9th to 14th centuries AD for both functional and ceremonial purposes, these battle axes stand out due to their striking designs and durability. Featuring intricate engravings or inlays, they often depicted mythological creatures and were wielded as primary melee weapons on battlefields across Northern Europe. Made of high-carbon steel, which significantly enhanced their strength, Viking battle axes embodied both artistic expression and martial prowess. Given the limited space for forging and the skill required to craft such intricate pieces, only a few of these axes have survived through history.

Built from 200 BC onwards, this was an advanced form of ancient siege warfare technology developed by Han engineers during China's Western Xia dynasty. Utilizing spring power combined with wooden frames and iron bands to generate force, the "Scorpion" catapult was renowned for its ability to breach walls at a speed comparable to those generated by horseback archers. Measuring around 8 meters long (26 feet), it could launch heavy projectiles over considerable distances, reflecting significant advancements in Chinese military technology during that era.

Constructed from the early 10th century onwards by medieval England for siege warfare purposes, these were among the first towers designed to withstand and then use explosive forces upon enemy fortifications. Employing simple wooden or stone structures covered with iron bands, they demonstrated basic forms of advanced military engineering before more sophisticated designs emerged. The height varied between the 16 to 30 meters (52-98 feet), which was remarkable for that time period considering the building's portability and functionality.

Developed by Byzantine engineers from the 4th to 7th centuries AD, these were refined versions of earlier Persian ballistae designs. Characterized by their sleeker metal frames and more efficient spring mechanisms, they significantly enhanced medieval siege warfare capabilities. Employing wooden stocks and utilizing torsion-powered springs for added force, Byzantine Ballistae represented a major leap in the sophistication of ancient siege technology.

Constructed during 13th-14th century AD by Egyptian Mamluks for sieges against Ayyubid and Mongol fortresses, these catapults showcased exceptional engineering prowess by using simple materials yet creating formidable force upon impact. Employing wooden frames with tightly wound animal hairs wrapped over a rope mechanism to generate spring power, Mangonels represented a blend of traditional and innovative techniques typical of medieval military technology.

Built from the 11th-13th centuries AD by European armies for siege warfare purposes, these advanced catapults stand out due to their efficiency in breaching fortifications and traversing diverse terrain types. Often weighing upwards of 10 tons, Trebuchets showcased significant improvements over earlier medieval catapult designs like those from ancient Greece or Rome. Equipped with large pulleys to generate considerable force upon the counterweight-driven mechanism, they became key components of military technology during that period.

Constructed by prehistoric hunters for early ranged combat purposes around 8,000 years ago in regions such as Eastern Europe and Africa, the sling exemplifies one of humanity's earliest practical inventions used for projecting projectiles (stones) for hunting small game or for self-defense against predators.

Developed from ancient Chinese bamboo crossbows by medieval Asian armies during the 10th century AD and introduced to Europe through trade. Initially made as early "Chinese-style" crossbows but gradually adopting more sophisticated designs such as triggers, they significantly enhanced military performance in siege warfare. Featuring mechanisms allowing for repeated shots without reloading, crossbows represented a crucial innovation between traditional ranged weapons like slings.

Constructed by Han Chinese engineers from 200 BC onwards for utilizing advanced spring power to propel heavy projectiles over considerable distances, these ancient Chinese projectile launchers are considered among the earliest forms of modern artillery technology. Although rarely seen in historical siege warfare due to limitations in the range and precision provided compared to later models like gunpowder-based cannons.

Constructed by Roman engineers from the 1st century BC onwards, these were massive ancient catapult-like devices used for breaching walls in sieges of fortifications across their empire. By utilizing powerful counterweights to generate considerable force upon impact, they represented significant advancements over earlier siege engines from Greece or Egypt.