Native American weaponry

Native American Weaponry was used by Native Americans to hunt and to do battle with other Native American tribes. Native American weaponry can be grouped into 5 classifications: Striking Weapons, Cutting Weapons, Piercing Weapons, Defensive Weapons, and Symbolic Weapons.[1]

An Indian Chief holding a war hatchet

Striking Weapons

Native Americans used many variations of striking weapons. These weapons were mainly used for melee combat with other tribes. In some cases these weapons were thrown for long range attacks.

Stone club, Old Fort Niagara, NY.
A pipe tomahawk dating to the early 19th century.

Cutting Weapons

Cutting weapons were used by the Native Americans for combat as well as hunting. They preferred shorter blades, and did not use long cutting weapons, like the swords that the Europeans used at the time.

Piercing Weapons

Piercing weapons consisted of both short and long range weapons. They were used for hunting and combat.

Medicine shield

Symbolic Weapons

Many of the weapons that the Native Americans used served a more symbolic purpose.

Citations

  1. Taylor, pp. 6-9.
  2. Taylor, pp. 12-13.
  3. Alchin, p. Ball Clubs.
  4. British Museum.
  5. Taylor, pp. 22-23.
  6. Alchin, p. Gunstock Club.
  7. Taylor, pp. 24-27.
  8. McEvoy A, pp. 27-28.
  9. McEvoy H, pp. 106-107.
  10. kkk
  11. 1 2 Alchin, p. Knife and Dagger.
  12. Alchin, p. Speard.
  13. Alchin, p. The Lance.
  14. Alchin, p. Atlatl.
  15. Waldman, p. 335.
  16. Weir, p. 15.
  17. Alchin, p. Bows and Arrows.
  18. Taylor, pp. 100-101.
  19. Alchin, p. Shields.

References

  • Alchin, L.K. "Native Indian Tribes". Native Indian Tribes. Retrieved 4 June 2013. 
  • McEvoy, A. (2009). The American West. New York: Chelsea House. ISBN 9781604133820. 
  • McEvoy, H.K. (1988). Knife & tomahawk throwing : the art of the experts (3rd print. ed.). Rutland, Vt.: C.E. Tuttle. ISBN 0804815429. 
  • Taylor, C.F. (2005). Native American weapons. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 0806137169. 
  • Waldman, C. (2006). Encyclopedia of Native American tribes (3rd ed., rev. ed.). New York: Checkmark Books. ISBN 9780816062737. 
  • Weir, W. (2005). 50 weapons that changed warfare. Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page Books. ISBN 1564147568. 
  • "War Club". British Museum. Retrieved 4 June 2013. 
  • "Native American Indian Weapons". Retrieved 27 August 2013. 
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