10 replies to this topic

[General_Zhaoyun]

Alright, there seems to be much discussion on chinese spears, swords, halbert (Ji) used by the infantry.

But I'm sure these weapons developed for the infantry is not suitable to be used by a mounted warrior.

I'm just curious to know more about cavalry weaponry, whether it's in the form of swords, spears, halbert, bows.

Was the Cavalry weaponry developed more for charging, piercing or hacking? Can someone tell me more about these weaponry developed for various cavalry tactics and combat purpose?

[Altaica Militarica]

But I'm sure these weapons developed for the infantry is not suitable to be used by a mounted warrior.

I'm just curious to know more about cavalry weaponry, whether it's in the form of swords, spears, halbert, bows.

Was the Cavalry weaponry developed more for charging, piercing or hacking? Can someone tell me more about these weaponry developed for various cavalry tactics and combat purpose?

First of all we should notice that a lot of techniques were intended to fight in close-combat within close battle formation. There are a lit of different yanyuedao, spears etc. The spearheads were designed to allow not only thrusting but cuting too.

Frankly speaking the part of specialized spears for tilt was not very big and we should assume that the charge with lances was not the main tactics of cavalry in all periods exept for Xianbi rule.

Then we know gouqian for riders during Jingnan war (1399-1402). Mongol and Nuchen riders of Yongle emperor wielded this weapon in the battle when loyalists tried to stop them with huoche.

And of course sabers - shuanjian. They were a little bit shorter than usual saber to avoid self-injuring in the battle.

And do not forget cavalry flail. This weapon was widely spread in Manchuria, Mongolia and Korea. So I think the art of flail-wielding was known in China too.

Unfortunately the quota limits me to show you some pics.

Best regards,

Alexey.

[Liang Jieming]

use imageshack to upload photos. That's unlimited. Don't use the CHF image attachment feature. That's only 2Mb.

[TMPikachu]

Cavalry flail? If you have pictures, please show them!

So there was nothing like the European lance in Chinese warfare? (a piercing weapon designed for charges)

How often were shields used by cavalry?

[Gubook Janggoon]

Is this it?

http://www1.suwon.ac...pic24/02-22.gif

[TMPikachu]

I guess

Hopefully, when that big Ancient Chinese Weapons book gets delivered, it'll be in there

[Mei Houwang]

So there was nothing like the European lance in Chinese warfare? (a piercing weapon designed for charges)

Its pretty grounded that Chinese calvary used spears, but I don't know if that would be termed as a lance.

[TMPikachu]

spears yeah, but lances were further developed to be usable only while mounted, tucked under one arm, with the other using a shield

[Wujiang]

spears yeah, but lances were further developed to be usable only while mounted, tucked under one arm, with the other using a shield

Actually they did.
It was so long that you can't really use it on foot and you needed a rope to hand it over your shoulders when charging.

[Altaica Militarica]

Is this it?

http://www1.suwon.ac...pic24/02-22.gif

Dear Turtle General!

Are you from Korea?

If so, look at your private messges box, please. I would ask you some questions.

Best reards,

Alexey.

P.S. The Chinese flail is the right one not left as it is Korean one. So this kind of weapon was spread even in Qing era Mongolia.

[tadamson]

Actually they did.
It was so long that you can't really use it on foot and you needed a rope to hand it over your shoulders when charging.

These comments are presumably about 15th century jousting lances. Long, tapered, wide guard in front of hand etc... Occasionaly used on the battlefield by 16th c gendarmes. Shields, not normaly used on the battlefieldby these troops.

Prior to around 1450 European 'lance' was just a spear used by cavalry. After 1700 all European lances were just long spears. Very similar weapons were used across the world by mounted troopers.

The big difference in Europe was the almost total lack of composite bows, this tied with the limited grazing land meant no horse archers. The lack of bows also led to Eropeancavalry carrying shields (a very rare thing in Chinese/Manchurian/Mongolian cavalry).

rgds.
Tom..