Caltrops - a Device Built After Nature

Matchlock · 6th October 2013, 06:08 PM

... especially with their feet clad with thin leather only!

This of course was the main intention for throwing caltrops on a battle field, 'Nando. I, just as Andi, was only worrying about the unusual dimensions of the samples he posted.
Is it possible that yiou are trying to put us on the scrap heap with those, Andi? .

Best,
Michl

Marcus den toom · 13th March 2014, 03:53 PM

I boughed this nice example from an Uk auction.
Rather terrifying to imagine these things deployed in action.

Is there also a record of them beeing "dipped" in waste to ensure an infection after encountering such a device? Though seriously injured, you might escape to fight another day.

Marcus den toom · 25th March 2014, 04:59 PM

A better picture of my caltrop with very nice patina

VANDOO · 25th March 2014, 09:35 PM

NATURES CALTROPS, MINERAL, PLANT AND ANIMAL
#1 & #2. THORNS OF THE HONEY LOCUST I HAVE SEEN THEM UP TO 10 INCHES LONG AND THEY WORK WELL IN PIT TRAPS LARGE OR SMALL. ARROW POINTS, POISON DARTS AND FISH GIGS ARE EASILY MADE AS WELL.
#3. MUREX SHELL NOT TO BE STEPPED ON WHILE WADEING BAREFOOT
#4. SEA URCHIN, THIS KIND DOES HAVE POISON AND WILL BREAK OFF IN WOUNDS. I KNOW THEM TO BE VERY PAINFUL.
#5. QUARTZ CRYSTALS THESE AS WELL AS MANY OTHER FORMS WOULD BE PAINFUL TO WALK ON BAREFOOT.
#6. CACTUS

MANY PLANTS HAVE SPIKED OR BURRED SEED PODS TO HELP SPREAD THE SEEDS. THORNS ON THE PLANT ARE MOSTLY FOR PROTECTION. CACTUS SPINES ARE A GOOD EXAMPLE.

M ELEY · 27th March 2014, 07:12 PM

I like the pics, Barry. Very natural and relaxing...in a way! Interesting to see how ethnographic people incorporated natural resources into their weaponry, such a water caltrops, shark's teeth swords and spears, etc. The pic of the wicked-looking thorn trees reminds me of readings about the pre-contact Figians and Solomon Islands people. They built their fortresses out of nearly non-penetrable hoary spined tropical trees and thorn trunks. A definite discouragement for entering!
Mark

VANDOO · 1st April 2014, 02:18 AM

I REMEMBER IN MANY OLD BOOKS ABOUT AFRICA THE SAFARI OFTEN BUILT A ENCLOSURE OF THORN BUSHES AROUND THE CAMP AT NIGHT TO KEEP OUT LIONS AND ENEMYS. THEY CALLED IT A BOMBA I SUSPECT IT WAS LIKELY NOT FICTION BUT COMMON PRACTICE WHERE SUCH THORN BUSHES OR TREES WERE AVAILABLE.

Andi · 1st April 2014, 08:43 PM

Here is an other example for a simple and easy to build natural defensive armor similar to chevaux de frise. Made of the stems of fir trees (Abies) with shortened and pointed branches. A drawing in Jörg Kölderer: Befestigungen in Südtirol und Friaul. Tyrol, ca. 1508. ONB Vienna, HAD Cod. 2858, Folio 21r.

1st April 2014, 08:43 PM	#7
Andi Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Halstenbek, Germany Posts: 203	Here is an other example for a simple and easy to build natural defensive armor similar to chevaux de frise. Made of the stems of fir trees (Abies) with shortened and pointed branches. A drawing in Jörg Kölderer: Befestigungen in Südtirol und Friaul. Tyrol, ca. 1508. ONB Vienna, HAD Cod. 2858, Folio 21r. Attached Images

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6th October 2013, 06:08 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	... especially with their feet clad with thin leather only! This of course was the main intention for throwing caltrops on a battle field, 'Nando. I, just as Andi, was only worrying about the unusual dimensions of the samples he posted. Is it possible that yiou are trying to put us on the scrap heap with those, Andi? . Best, Michl

13th March 2014, 03:53 PM	#2
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 534	I boughed this nice example from an Uk auction. Rather terrifying to imagine these things deployed in action. Is there also a record of them beeing "dipped" in waste to ensure an infection after encountering such a device? Though seriously injured, you might escape to fight another day.

25th March 2014, 04:59 PM	#3
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 534	A better picture of my caltrop with very nice patina

25th March 2014, 09:35 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	NATURES CALTROPS, MINERAL, PLANT AND ANIMAL #1 & #2. THORNS OF THE HONEY LOCUST I HAVE SEEN THEM UP TO 10 INCHES LONG AND THEY WORK WELL IN PIT TRAPS LARGE OR SMALL. ARROW POINTS, POISON DARTS AND FISH GIGS ARE EASILY MADE AS WELL. #3. MUREX SHELL NOT TO BE STEPPED ON WHILE WADEING BAREFOOT #4. SEA URCHIN, THIS KIND DOES HAVE POISON AND WILL BREAK OFF IN WOUNDS. I KNOW THEM TO BE VERY PAINFUL. #5. QUARTZ CRYSTALS THESE AS WELL AS MANY OTHER FORMS WOULD BE PAINFUL TO WALK ON BAREFOOT. #6. CACTUS MANY PLANTS HAVE SPIKED OR BURRED SEED PODS TO HELP SPREAD THE SEEDS. THORNS ON THE PLANT ARE MOSTLY FOR PROTECTION. CACTUS SPINES ARE A GOOD EXAMPLE. Attached Images

27th March 2014, 07:12 PM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	I like the pics, Barry. Very natural and relaxing...in a way! Interesting to see how ethnographic people incorporated natural resources into their weaponry, such a water caltrops, shark's teeth swords and spears, etc. The pic of the wicked-looking thorn trees reminds me of readings about the pre-contact Figians and Solomon Islands people. They built their fortresses out of nearly non-penetrable hoary spined tropical trees and thorn trunks. A definite discouragement for entering! Mark

1st April 2014, 02:18 AM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I REMEMBER IN MANY OLD BOOKS ABOUT AFRICA THE SAFARI OFTEN BUILT A ENCLOSURE OF THORN BUSHES AROUND THE CAMP AT NIGHT TO KEEP OUT LIONS AND ENEMYS. THEY CALLED IT A BOMBA I SUSPECT IT WAS LIKELY NOT FICTION BUT COMMON PRACTICE WHERE SUCH THORN BUSHES OR TREES WERE AVAILABLE.