Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

katana · 29th May 2009, 10:51 AM

I have a problem believing the stilleto would be any use if a 'gun' enplacement was 'over-run'. Cannons would be a strategic target....and its 'capture' would add to your fire power against the enemy.

Thinking 'laterally' I wonder if the stilleto had another use.....if you quenched the blade ...without tempering it, the blade would be very hard...but brittle. Still functional as a stabbing weapon but could be used to incapacitate a cannon.... Your position is over-run, the enemy are about to capture your guns ...you stick the stilleto in the fuse hole (perhaps even 'hammer it in ) hardened steel would 'bite' into the softer iron,....grab the hilt and snap the (brittle) blade ...which would likely snap 'flush' with the cannons outer surface. This would be very difficult to remove, especially in 'battle' conditions.
Voila...a cannon without a useable fuse hole ......a cannon that cannot be 'turned' on your comrades..

Regards David

PS the 'graduation' marks ...if deep enough ....would make good 'snapping' points

29th May 2009, 10:51 AM	#16
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I have a problem believing the stilleto would be any use if a 'gun' enplacement was 'over-run'. Cannons would be a strategic target....and its 'capture' would add to your fire power against the enemy. Thinking 'laterally' I wonder if the stilleto had another use.....if you quenched the blade ...without tempering it, the blade would be very hard...but brittle. Still functional as a stabbing weapon but could be used to incapacitate a cannon.... Your position is over-run, the enemy are about to capture your guns ...you stick the stilleto in the fuse hole (perhaps even 'hammer it in ) hardened steel would 'bite' into the softer iron,....grab the hilt and snap the (brittle) blade ...which would likely snap 'flush' with the cannons outer surface. This would be very difficult to remove, especially in 'battle' conditions. Voila...a cannon without a useable fuse hole ......a cannon that cannot be 'turned' on your comrades.. Regards David PS the 'graduation' marks ...if deep enough ....would make good 'snapping' points Last edited by katana; 29th May 2009 at 11:44 AM.