African swords as tools?

Jim McDougall · 17th November 2007, 04:55 AM

That is really something Bill, it seemed I had heard of something like that but cant remember where. It seems there have been so many outlandish creations in the realm of military weaponry intended to be multipurpose, and this one really gets a gold star!
Nonoy Tan thank you for sharing the interesting items from the Philippines!
The cane/spear combination reminds me of the interesting concealed weapons carried by mendicants in India.

This really is an intriguing topic and I'm glad you brought it up Bill !!

The item that comes to mind for me, speaking of bayonets is the saw tooth back Schmitt-Rubin sword bayonet used by German infantry in WWI. These were of course to serve also as saws for materials in entrenchments and other field utility use, however the allies saw these as terrible inhumane weapons intended to produce horrifying wounds. With this tale perpetuated, the troops fiercely reacted to any German soldiers with one of these gruesome looking bayonets and often shot them without chance to surrender. The truth was of course that as a weapon, the sawback was entirely counterproductive and impaired penetration or if it did penetrate, could not be withdrawn, leaving its user effectively disarmed.

There are of course many combination weapons that are hybrids of firearms and edged weapons.....but with weapon and tool...now thats esoterica!
Hope we'll see some more examples.

Good note on the Highlander Bill!!!

One of my favorites!!

All very best regards,
Jim

17th November 2007, 04:55 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,282	That is really something Bill, it seemed I had heard of something like that but cant remember where. It seems there have been so many outlandish creations in the realm of military weaponry intended to be multipurpose, and this one really gets a gold star! Nonoy Tan thank you for sharing the interesting items from the Philippines! The cane/spear combination reminds me of the interesting concealed weapons carried by mendicants in India. This really is an intriguing topic and I'm glad you brought it up Bill !! The item that comes to mind for me, speaking of bayonets is the saw tooth back Schmitt-Rubin sword bayonet used by German infantry in WWI. These were of course to serve also as saws for materials in entrenchments and other field utility use, however the allies saw these as terrible inhumane weapons intended to produce horrifying wounds. With this tale perpetuated, the troops fiercely reacted to any German soldiers with one of these gruesome looking bayonets and often shot them without chance to surrender. The truth was of course that as a weapon, the sawback was entirely counterproductive and impaired penetration or if it did penetrate, could not be withdrawn, leaving its user effectively disarmed. There are of course many combination weapons that are hybrids of firearms and edged weapons.....but with weapon and tool...now thats esoterica! Hope we'll see some more examples. Good note on the Highlander Bill!!! One of my favorites!! All very best regards, Jim