Weapons Historians: I need some help

DannyinJapan

DannyinJapan

Joined
Oct 9, 2003
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I need to know, if it is possible, the names and desriptions of every weapon in common use by the Mongols around the time of the Great Khan. (1200AD)
 
I'm no historian, but what I do know of the Mongols is that they were primarily horse archers. They depended on superior mobility and the capability to strike from a distance rather than going toe-to-toe as infantry. As such, except for their powerful composite bows, I don't think you'll be able to find much about Mongol weapons. Some also carried sabers, but other than references stating that almost all other specific saber-types are derived at some level from the Mongol saber, I haven't found much. Mongols traveled light and fast, so I doubt that (as a general rule) they burdened themselves with any unnecessary gear.

Here's a couple links I found that you may be helpful:
http://www.coldsiberia.org/index.html (Site nav links are at the bottom of the page)
http://www.laohats.com/mongolian invasion.htm

The second site describes a typical light/heavy cavalryman's weapons load, but only in general terms.
 
And if you believe South Park, they also use flaming baseballs, Trojan Mongolian horses, and carts full of explosives!
 
hi danny,

have a look at the ethnographic arms & armour forum.

a search on 'mongol swords' will bring up lots of info on them and their influence on russian/polish/hungarian swords as well as others. try just 'mongol' for more stuff.

there are a few pictures of mongols from contemporary chinese prints, etc.
 
As mentioned above, the Mongols were primarily horse archers, so their primary weapon would've been the composite bow. As important as the bow was however, I think it's only part of the equation. I think you'd have to think of it as part of a weapons system. The ponies, saddle, and stirrups would've been equally important in making the mounted archer as effective as possible.

Don't know what the names of the sabers were. The Ethnographic Arms forum is a good place to start. I do know that the Mongols got most of their siege weapons and technology from the Chinese. Again, I don't know what the specific names are.
 
I agree with Kronckew, Id have a look at the ethnographic arms & armour forum, if you dont find the answear post a questean.

Spiral
 
Also the fire lance, probably not any of those around anymore though. Kind of a one shot deal.

Those mongols had an incredible variety of arrows, some with heads that were designed to make terrifying sounds in flight, some designed to maim, some to fragment. I had a great book on the mogol conquest/empire can't seem to find it now, if I do Ill let you know.
 
I'm told that the Mongolian war cry of "Uuuraahh" was eventually used by many western cultures including England as a cry of triumph, ie "Hoorah".
 
I am sure I read about a film/series made by the chinese? (he is considered a hero like we look on Alexander the great). I am sure a lot of your questions could be answered by watching that.
 
danny,

mongols-best light cavalry in history:
2 bows- one lighter, fired from horseback-stirrups essential.
second bow IIRC was carved from tree near root, continuosly restrung.
many different arrows-shortrange, armour peircing up to overland lobbing whistlers and heavy heads.
knife belt with several small knives-carving,tiny and thin wound dressers and a hoove cleaning knife,most important-they were very careful of their stepp ponies hoove health.

Also let us not forget the many wonderful chinese weapons the mongols borrowed from their conquests...

their most important asset to warfare is the stirrup...stand and shoot.

mark:D
 
Thanks for all the help. I have been trying to get some meatier descriptions of the use of the ankus and chakram closer to Japan, where they were adopted by the ninja.
These weapons don't seem to appear in any Mongol docs, so I am going to have to look at the Vedic colonists of the same period..
 
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