Weapon Types

Fifty-four weapons spanning five epochs of human conflict, organized by what they are and how they kill. Swords cut. Polearms thrust. Bludgeons crush. Bows and crossbows shoot. Firearms explode. The categories overlap at the edges, but the core distinctions have held for thousands of years.

Swords

From the Roman gladius to the Japanese katana, explore every type of sword cataloged in The Periodic Table of Weapons.

Polearms

The polearm family spans from prehistoric spears to Renaissance halberds. Explore every polearm in The Periodic Table of Weapons.

Ranged Weapons

From the prehistoric atlatl to the medieval crossbow, explore the ranged weapons that changed warfare before gunpowder.

Bludgeons & Impact Weapons

Clubs, maces, flanged maces, and war hammers: the blunt-force weapons that defeated armor when blades couldn't.

Firearms

The complete evolution of firearms, from the Chinese fire lance through matchlocks, muskets, revolvers, and modern assault rifles.

Rifles

The evolution of the rifle from the Minié ball revolution through semi-automatic, assault, and anti-materiel designs.

Shotguns

Every type of shotgun from the simple break-action to lever, pump, and combat semi-auto designs.

Siege Weapons & Artillery

The machines of destruction: from Greek catapults and medieval trebuchets to the cannons that ended the age of castles.

Axes & Edged Weapons

Hand axes, battle axes, and edged combat tools from the Lower Paleolithic through the Viking Age and beyond.

54 Weapons. Five Epochs. One Poster.

Every weapon type is represented on the poster.