wackiest historical weapons?

[alsih2o]

i was researching my next 'history in your game' article(link collection) on archery adn found this wacky bit- http://www.student.utwente.nl/~sagi/artikel/retarrow/retarrow.html which reads in part-
"In that rare book, Arab Archery, translated and edited by N.A. Faris and R.P. Elmer (Princeton University Press, 1945), by an unknown author c. 1500, there is a chapter devoted to unusual forms of shooting. Pages 138-9 concern 'the returning arrow' which 'suddenly returns to the point whence it was shot, and may even hit the archer himself'. It gives details of construction and adds that, 'if it should fail to return to the place where you were standing when you shot it, know that you were not exact in its construction'. The author adds that 'the purpose of such an arrow is to deceive an enemy who happens to be at your side, and to shoot him while he is unaware' "

is this one of the wackiest things ever?

 

[Hand of Evil]

Could be used also to fire and retreat, the foe moves into your space and wack, arrow in the back!

 

[diaglo]

it is all in the timing.

1754-1763 During the French and Indian Wars, smallpox was used as a biological weapon by British soldiers who distributed smallpox-infested blankets to the American Indians.

Smallpox symptoms include fever and a pock-like rash all over the body, appearing between seven and 17 days after exposure to the virus. People are contagious from the time the rash appears - particularly in the first week of illness - until the scabs fall off.

 

[Umbran]

To steal a phrase from "The Tick", animated series:

It sounds more... made up, to me.

Returning arrows. Nick Soapdish. Coincidence? You be the judge.

 

[Oni]

One of the odder looking weapnos I can remember seeing was a russian one. It was similar to a targe, with a hole cut out in the middle through which the user put their arm. Armour for the arm was attached to the middle of this shield and at the end was was something similar to a pata, which is an Indian sword gauntlet.

Unfortunately I can't find another picture of this contraption, but I'm still looking.

 

[d20Dwarf]

Yeah, that returning arrow is pure bull.

 

[Enkhidu]

As far as strange weapons, I always liked the German Rifle/Axes. Single shot blunderbuss with an axe head.

Seem to me I remember them also playing around with the idea of making Gunpowder charged breastplates that would explode outward when struck, but I can't find any evidence of that one.

 

[fusangite]

I have been wondering something for about 20 years and this seems like as good a place as any to ask it: what is a Bohemian Ear-Spoon? I realize this is a non-silly weapon with a silly name, as opposed to a silly weapon but what the hell.

 

[takyris]

When I was in St. Petersburg, I visited the armory at the Hermitage and saw the Coolest Weapon Ever.

Flamberge Rapier (wavy blade) with a single-shot pistol set into the grip. The barrel of the gun was affixed to the blade -- it would give the sneaky fellow using it one extra shot at somebody who thought he was closing in to charge, or it could serve as an extra special attack in the middle of a man-to-man combat.

Coolest Weapon Ever. I loved that thing.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

When I was in St. Petersburg, I visited the armory at the Hermitage and saw the Coolest Weapon Ever.

Flamberge Rapier (wavy blade) with a single-shot pistol set into the grip. The barrel of the gun was affixed to the blade -- it would give the sneaky fellow using it one extra shot at somebody who thought he was closing in to charge, or it could serve as an extra special attack in the middle of a man-to-man combat.

Coolest Weapon Ever. I loved that thing.

You could get one of those in 7th Sea. Those were sooooo cool. I had no idea they were based on a real design though.