It is believed that the War Hammer was an instrument that was popular in the latter half of the middle age period and most often used for close combat, particularly the larger ones for riding as well as the smaller in close quarters or from horses.The appearance that the war hammer was made of was reminiscent of an ice ax.A war hammer is comprised of an handle that measures approximately two to five feet as well as heads comprised of solid metals, like steel, iron or bronze.Some war hammers came with spikes which could be employed to aid in piercing.War Hammers were a knight’s nightmare as the flat side’s sharp edges could cause dangerous scratches in armor, while the spiked edge could be able to pierce the armor.
The History of the War Hammer
It is thought that war hammers was invented within Europe in its use in the Middle East as a reaction to the technology of plate armor.Blades would ricochet off the surface-hardened iron armors of the medieval battlefields of the 14th and fifteenth centuries. However, they were ideally suited to pierce the armor.A war hammer could deliver maximum force of a hit to the target , without the possibility of losing impact on the contour of the head.This can cause concussions through the most thick helmets.Metal-ball and faceted-head maces developed in the 14th century and include massive iron-flanged head and projecting lugs with pointed tips to deliver brutal blows.Some war hammers had the spike on the opposite part of the skull which allowed them to be more versatile weaponry since they could be utilized against other areas of the body in which the armor was more brittle.
The Types of War Hammers
Maul
A hammer that has a long handle and the heavy head, which is comparable in appearance and function to the modern sledgehammer.Most commonly used in the late 14th century.In the Battle of Agincourt, English longbowmen are recorded as having used lead mauls.Mauls were also weapons of Tudor archers up to 1562.
Lucerne Hammer
A modification of the Swiss hammerhead, it was divided into a three- or four-pronged head , and then mounted on an eight-foot shaft. It was fitted with the longer pick, and a more spikes on upper part side of the head.This created smaller points of impact , with more forceful bite.
Bec de Corbin or “Crow’s Beak”
The beak was larger and longer (better created to tear away armor) and the spike was smaller.The hammer was blunt in its face.It’s also referred to by the name of Bec de Faucon (Halcon’s Beak) or the horseman’s pick.
Using War Hammers.
The spike on a war hammer can be employed to assist in striking the armor and reins or shield, or moved to the side of the strike to penetrate even the most robust armor.If you are facing mounted enemies the hammer could be directed towards the legs of the horse, toppling the enemy’s armored opponent to the ground so that they can be likely to be attacked.The end of a warhammer generally the first to hit and stun an opponent and after they were on the ground, it was reversed to make a hole in the helmet to deliver the coup of grace.A strong strike with a warhammer strike it with force that is several hundred kilograms/mm2.This is the exact perforating force that a rifle can deliver.
