Pirate swords and weapons

VANDOO · 20th January 2008, 09:39 PM

IT IS SAID RIFLES OR MUSKETS WERE FIRST CHOICE WHEN CLOSING IN BY PIRATES AND PISTOLS SECOND THEN THE SWORD OR AX. DURING THE TAKING OF A SHIP ANY SANE PIRATE WOULD PREFER TO SHOOT DOWN HIS ENEMY FROM A DISTANCE OR PERHAPS STAB HIM IN THE BACK THAN TO FACE HIM IN A SWORD FIGHT AS NOT ONLY COULD THE OTHER FELLOW BE A BETTER SWORDSMAN OR GET LUCKY BUT WHILE ENGAGED YOUR BACK WAS EXPOSED.
RIFLES AND PISTOLS WERE USUALLY LOADED WITH MORE THAN ONE BALL ,USUALLY ONE THAT FIT THE BARREL TIGHT AND PERHAPS 2 OR MORE THAT WERE A BIT SMALLER. THIS LESSENED THE CHANCE OF A NEAR MISS CONSIDERABLY AND ALSO ADDED TO THE KNOCKDOWN POWER OF THE WEAPON IF ALL STRUCK. I WILL TRY AND ADD SOME PICS OF SOME OF THE GUNS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN USED AND SOME STRANGE ONES AS WELL. THE RIFLE IS A SEASERVICE BROWN BESS CIRC. 1745, MADE SHORTER FOR SERVICE ON BRITISH SHIPS, THE PISTOL IS A SPANISH MIQUELET CIRC. LATE 16 TO EARLY 17 CENTURY. THE LAST IS A DUCKFOOT PISTOL ,ALL BARRELS FIRE AT ONCE SOME CAPTIANS CARRIED THEM AS THEY WORKED WELL AGAINST A MUTINY.

VANDOO · 20th January 2008, 10:04 PM

A FEW MORE GUNS FROM THE PERIOD THAT MAY HAVE SEEN USE BY PIRATES. 1. A BORDINGAX PISTOL GERMAN 1600'S, 2. A 1660 ENGLISH SMOOTHBORE FOWLING GUN (SMOOTH BORE GUNS WERE FAVORED BY BUCCANEERS), 3. 1717 FRENCH 69 CAL., 4. FRENCH TRADE GUN 1700'S, FRENCH MATCHLOCK 1690, 5. SPANISH 70 CAL. 1756.
THE PICTURES DID NOT COME OUT IN THE ORDER LISTED IN SORRY.

VANDOO · 21st January 2008, 01:36 AM

A FEW EDGED WEAPONS, ABOUT TIME EH?

1. BOUCAN KNIVES OFTEN MADE FROM BROKEN WEAPONS WERE USED BY BUCANEERS.
2. CUTLASS, 1500'S TO 1700'S STYLE
3. CUTLASS OPEN BASKET
4.HANGER
5.SMALLSWORD
6.BOARDING AX CIRC. 1700'S

SO FAR MY PIRATE POSTS HAVE MOSTLY COVERED WEAPONS FROM MORE RECENT TIMES AND OF EUROPEAN ORIGIN. THE FIRST MENTION OF PIRATES GOES BACK TO ANCIENT GREECE, ROME ECT AND NO DOUBT BEFORE WRITTEN LANGUAGE WAS INVENTED TO RECORD IT. AFTER ALL A GROUP ON ONE ISLAND OR CONTINENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN NOTED FOR PADDELING AND SAILING TO OTHER ISLANDS TO RAID AND PLUNDER SEASIDE VILLAGES BEFORE WRITING WAS AVAILABLE. THE VICTIMS OF SUCH ATTACKS WOULD HAVE HAD A TERM FOR THESE RAIDERS FROM THE SEA EVEN THEN. PIRATEING INCLUDED ATTACKS AT SEA AS WELL AS RAIDS ON LAND WHERE CONVIENT. SOME RAIDERS WERE CALLED BY OLDER NAMES BEFORE THE TERM PIRATE WAS COINED IF I REMEMBER IT CAME FROM A LATIN WORD USED DURING ROMAN TIMES.
THESE PICTURES AND INFORMATION IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG AS THERE HAVE BEEN SEA RAIDERS ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR A VERY LONG TIME. THERE WERE AFTER ALL OTHERS BESIDES (PIRATES OF THE CARRABEIAN)

Freddy · 21st January 2008, 09:08 AM

This big knife would fit in quite nicely. I haven't a clue where it comes from. Just picked it up because it was cheap

Total length is 41 cm

fernando · 22nd January 2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

... THE TERM PIRATE WAS COINED IF I REMEMBER IT CAME FROM A LATIN WORD USED DURING ROMAN TIMES.

From the greek πειρατής ( peiratés ) derived from πειράω ( atempt, assault ), by the latin pirata.

fernando · 22nd January 2008, 01:11 AM

After the drawing of a hanger, here is a real one.
Indeed a handy sword to use abord ships, with a short but wide and thick blade.

M ELEY · 29th January 2008, 06:27 AM

Hello folks,
I haven't posted in quite awhile (sorry, been busy!), but I stopped by, saw this thread and just couldn't leave it alone! I've been amassing a small collection of what could be called "pirate swords", boarding weapons and pieces that might have seen sea service for several years now (with what little funding I can manage). Being untechnological, I can't post pics, but I'd be happy to send some good ole-fashioned photos to one of the moderators to post if anyone is interested. Jim, we've discussed these weapons in the distant past (right before the 1st "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, I recall) and I still have that Spanish Caribbean cutlass I sent you to look at. There's just something fascinating about pirates/privateers and the Age of Fighting Sail...

Mark

Jim McDougall · 29th January 2008, 07:55 PM

Avast Mark!!!!

It has been a long time, and I do remember the great talks on the pirate theme! This thread has been a lof of fun, and actually I've been away from it a bit myself. Apparantly the guys have really added some pretty interesting entries here lately.

Very nice cutlass Fernando! Looks like a British hanger c.1750's with a pretty substantial blade mounted in it. Thanks for the historical material and perspective too.

Vandoo, great stuff ! I'm beginning to wonder if you've traded in that war bonnet I always picture you wearing for a tricorn with jolly roger! Thank you for all the comprehensive material on pirate weapons, including the not often thought of grenades.

I appreciate all the insight everybody has added on the terminology and etymology as well.

Freddy, that scary 'Crocodile Dundee' lookin' piece seems likely to be a theatrical item made to resemble old Italian falchions from about 16th c. and even has had interpretations of the familiar Genoan 'sickle marks' added. Even if ya didn't use it, it might scare a guy to death

Thanks very much everybody for keeping this thread going. I always hope these threads will do just as this has, to serve as a sort of comprehensive reference resource for future research and giving us all better understanding of the subject.
I know this thread has gotten me to rewatch the pirate classics over again, and looks like we've even hooked the old salt Mark Eley!!

Looking forward to those pictures Mark!

All the best,
Jim

20th January 2008, 09:39 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT IS SAID RIFLES OR MUSKETS WERE FIRST CHOICE WHEN CLOSING IN BY PIRATES AND PISTOLS SECOND THEN THE SWORD OR AX. DURING THE TAKING OF A SHIP ANY SANE PIRATE WOULD PREFER TO SHOOT DOWN HIS ENEMY FROM A DISTANCE OR PERHAPS STAB HIM IN THE BACK THAN TO FACE HIM IN A SWORD FIGHT AS NOT ONLY COULD THE OTHER FELLOW BE A BETTER SWORDSMAN OR GET LUCKY BUT WHILE ENGAGED YOUR BACK WAS EXPOSED. RIFLES AND PISTOLS WERE USUALLY LOADED WITH MORE THAN ONE BALL ,USUALLY ONE THAT FIT THE BARREL TIGHT AND PERHAPS 2 OR MORE THAT WERE A BIT SMALLER. THIS LESSENED THE CHANCE OF A NEAR MISS CONSIDERABLY AND ALSO ADDED TO THE KNOCKDOWN POWER OF THE WEAPON IF ALL STRUCK. I WILL TRY AND ADD SOME PICS OF SOME OF THE GUNS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN USED AND SOME STRANGE ONES AS WELL. THE RIFLE IS A SEASERVICE BROWN BESS CIRC. 1745, MADE SHORTER FOR SERVICE ON BRITISH SHIPS, THE PISTOL IS A SPANISH MIQUELET CIRC. LATE 16 TO EARLY 17 CENTURY. THE LAST IS A DUCKFOOT PISTOL ,ALL BARRELS FIRE AT ONCE SOME CAPTIANS CARRIED THEM AS THEY WORKED WELL AGAINST A MUTINY. Attached Images

20th January 2008, 10:04 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A FEW MORE GUNS FROM THE PERIOD THAT MAY HAVE SEEN USE BY PIRATES. 1. A BORDINGAX PISTOL GERMAN 1600'S, 2. A 1660 ENGLISH SMOOTHBORE FOWLING GUN (SMOOTH BORE GUNS WERE FAVORED BY BUCCANEERS), 3. 1717 FRENCH 69 CAL., 4. FRENCH TRADE GUN 1700'S, FRENCH MATCHLOCK 1690, 5. SPANISH 70 CAL. 1756. THE PICTURES DID NOT COME OUT IN THE ORDER LISTED IN SORRY. Attached Images

21st January 2008, 01:36 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A FEW EDGED WEAPONS, ABOUT TIME EH? 1. BOUCAN KNIVES OFTEN MADE FROM BROKEN WEAPONS WERE USED BY BUCANEERS. 2. CUTLASS, 1500'S TO 1700'S STYLE 3. CUTLASS OPEN BASKET 4.HANGER 5.SMALLSWORD 6.BOARDING AX CIRC. 1700'S SO FAR MY PIRATE POSTS HAVE MOSTLY COVERED WEAPONS FROM MORE RECENT TIMES AND OF EUROPEAN ORIGIN. THE FIRST MENTION OF PIRATES GOES BACK TO ANCIENT GREECE, ROME ECT AND NO DOUBT BEFORE WRITTEN LANGUAGE WAS INVENTED TO RECORD IT. AFTER ALL A GROUP ON ONE ISLAND OR CONTINENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN NOTED FOR PADDELING AND SAILING TO OTHER ISLANDS TO RAID AND PLUNDER SEASIDE VILLAGES BEFORE WRITING WAS AVAILABLE. THE VICTIMS OF SUCH ATTACKS WOULD HAVE HAD A TERM FOR THESE RAIDERS FROM THE SEA EVEN THEN. PIRATEING INCLUDED ATTACKS AT SEA AS WELL AS RAIDS ON LAND WHERE CONVIENT. SOME RAIDERS WERE CALLED BY OLDER NAMES BEFORE THE TERM PIRATE WAS COINED IF I REMEMBER IT CAME FROM A LATIN WORD USED DURING ROMAN TIMES. THESE PICTURES AND INFORMATION IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG AS THERE HAVE BEEN SEA RAIDERS ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR A VERY LONG TIME. THERE WERE AFTER ALL OTHERS BESIDES (PIRATES OF THE CARRABEIAN) Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 21st January 2008 at 01:55 AM.

22nd January 2008, 01:11 AM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	After the drawing of a hanger, here is a real one. Indeed a handy sword to use abord ships, with a short but wide and thick blade. Attached Images

29th January 2008, 06:27 AM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,211	Did somebody say...PIRATES!! Hello folks, I haven't posted in quite awhile (sorry, been busy!), but I stopped by, saw this thread and just couldn't leave it alone! I've been amassing a small collection of what could be called "pirate swords", boarding weapons and pieces that might have seen sea service for several years now (with what little funding I can manage). Being untechnological, I can't post pics, but I'd be happy to send some good ole-fashioned photos to one of the moderators to post if anyone is interested. Jim, we've discussed these weapons in the distant past (right before the 1st "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, I recall) and I still have that Spanish Caribbean cutlass I sent you to look at. There's just something fascinating about pirates/privateers and the Age of Fighting Sail... Mark

21st January 2008, 09:08 AM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	This big knife would fit in quite nicely. I haven't a clue where it comes from. Just picked it up because it was cheap Total length is 41 cm

29th January 2008, 07:55 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,734	Avast Mark!!!! It has been a long time, and I do remember the great talks on the pirate theme! This thread has been a lof of fun, and actually I've been away from it a bit myself. Apparantly the guys have really added some pretty interesting entries here lately. Very nice cutlass Fernando! Looks like a British hanger c.1750's with a pretty substantial blade mounted in it. Thanks for the historical material and perspective too. Vandoo, great stuff ! I'm beginning to wonder if you've traded in that war bonnet I always picture you wearing for a tricorn with jolly roger! Thank you for all the comprehensive material on pirate weapons, including the not often thought of grenades. I appreciate all the insight everybody has added on the terminology and etymology as well. Freddy, that scary 'Crocodile Dundee' lookin' piece seems likely to be a theatrical item made to resemble old Italian falchions from about 16th c. and even has had interpretations of the familiar Genoan 'sickle marks' added. Even if ya didn't use it, it might scare a guy to death Thanks very much everybody for keeping this thread going. I always hope these threads will do just as this has, to serve as a sort of comprehensive reference resource for future research and giving us all better understanding of the subject. I know this thread has gotten me to rewatch the pirate classics over again, and looks like we've even hooked the old salt Mark Eley!! Looking forward to those pictures Mark! All the best, Jim