Different Types of Weapons and their Pictures

Different types of weapons and their pictures help us learn how tools of combat have evolved across time. From ancient blades to advanced firearms, each weapon has a distinct design, use, and history. Understanding their names and structures makes it easier to recognize them in books, training, or field discussions. This post helps you learn the different types of weapons and their pictures, useful in law enforcement, gaming, defense training, and military history.

In This Page

Traditional Weapons Around the World

Weapons from past civilizations were designed for hand-to-hand combat, defense, and survival. They reflect how different cultures fought wars and protected their lands. Each type had specific features and uses based on local needs and technology.

Swords Used in Ancient Cultures

Swords were long, edged weapons used for slashing or thrusting. Below is a list of swords used around the world:

Katana
Gladius
Scimitar
Jian
Sabre
Longsword
Rapier
Khopesh
Ulfberht
Dao

Daggers and Knives in Historical Combat

Smaller than swords, these were ideal for close-range fighting and stealth attacks.

Dirk
Kris
Stiletto
Pugio
Bollock Dagger
Parrying Dagger
Jambiya
Seax
Kukri
Push Dagger

Throwing Weapons Used in Tribal Warfare

These weapons were designed for distance attacks and quick strikes.

Throwing Axes
Boomerangs
Throwing Knives
Chakrams
Shuriken
Spears
Javelins
Bola
Tomahawk
Darts

Shields and Defensive Tools from Antiquity

Defensive gear protected warriors in battle. Some were handheld, others body-worn.

Round Shield
Tower Shield
Buckler
Scutum
Kite Shield
Targe
Pavise
Hoplon
Heater Shield
Cane Shield

Types of Melee Weapons

These weapons are used in close-range combat. They don’t need projectiles but rely on force and contact. Here’s a list of melee weapons sorted by type and usage.

Blunt Weapons: Clubs, Maces, and Batons

Club
Mace
Flail
Baton
Morning Star
War Hammer
Cudgel
Truncheon
Kanabo
Sap

Edged Weapons: Axes, Sabers, and Blades

Battle Axe
Tomahawk
Sabre
Kukri
Falchion
Dao
Glaive
Cutlass
Talwar
Scythe

Polearms: Spears, Halberds, and Lances

Spear
Halberd
Pike
Guisarme
Naginata
Ranseur
Yari
Voulge
Lance
Partisan

Names of Projectile Weapons Across Eras

These weapons shoot or launch a projectile, often manually powered. They were widely used before gunpowder-based systems came in.

Bows and Arrows from Different Civilizations

Longbow
Recurve Bow
Composite Bow
Short Bow
Self Bow
Reflex Bow
Crossbow (early forms)
War Bow
Flatbow
English Longbow

Crossbows and Their Mechanisms

Hand Crossbow
Repeating Crossbow
Arbalest
Siege Crossbow
Ballista (early influence)
Cranequin-loaded Crossbow
Pistol Crossbow
Chinese Crossbow
Scorpion (ancient variant)
Magazine Crossbow

Slings and Hand-Thrown Tools

Sling
Slingstaff
Staff Sling
Shepherd’s Sling
David’s Sling
Hand-thrown Rock
Clay Bullet
Leather Sling
Knotted Cord Sling
Two-string Sling

Atlatls and Primitive Launchers

Atlatl
Woomera
Spear Thrower
Dart Thrower
Throwing Stick
Lever Launcher
Aztec Atlatl
Inuit Thrower
Weighted Atlatl
Flexible Shaft Launcher

List of Firearms and Ranged Weaponry

These weapons use explosive force to launch projectiles at high speed. They’re used in military, police, and civilian settings.

Early Gunpowder Weapons

Hand Cannon
Arquebus
Matchlock
Flintlock
Wheellock
Blunderbuss
Musket
Snaplock
Tanegashima
Fire Lance

Handguns: Pistols and Revolvers

Revolver
Semi-Automatic Pistol
Derringer
Flintlock Pistol
Matchlock Pistol
Pocket Pistol
Automatic Pistol
Service Pistol
Snub-Nosed Revolver
Target Pistol

Rifles and Long-Range Shooting Weapons

Bolt-Action Rifle
Lever-Action Rifle
Semi-Automatic Rifle
Sniper Rifle
Carbine
Muzzleloader Rifle
Assault Rifle
Battle Rifle
Single-Shot Rifle
Air Rifle

Automatic and Semi-Automatic Guns

AK-47
M16
Uzi
M4 Carbine
FN FAL
Thompson Submachine Gun
MP5
G36
SCAR
MG42

Shotguns and Close-Range Ballistics

Pump-Action Shotgun
Double-Barrel Shotgun
Break-Action Shotgun
Sawed-Off Shotgun
Semi-Automatic Shotgun
Bolt-Action Shotgun
Tactical Shotgun
Lever-Action Shotgun
Coach Gun
Automatic Shotgun

Explosive and Tactical Weapon Types

These weapons are used for wide damage, area denial, or shock effects in combat.

Hand Grenades and Throwable Explosives

Fragmentation Grenade
Smoke Grenade
Stun Grenade
Incendiary Grenade
Tear Gas Grenade
Flashbang
Thermobaric Grenade
Stick Grenade
Concussion Grenade
Molotov Cocktail

Land Mines and Pressure-Based Devices

Anti-Personnel Mine
Anti-Tank Mine
Claymore Mine
Bounding Mine
Blast Mine
Directional Mine
Pressure Plate Mine
Tripwire Mine
Improvised Mine
Scatterable Mine

Rocket Launchers and Anti-Tank Weapons

RPG-7
LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon)
AT4
Panzerfaust
Bazooka
Carl Gustaf
Javelin Missile
Milan Missile
M72 LAW
SMAW

Flamethrowers and Incendiary Tools

Portable Flamethrower
Vehicle-Mounted Flamethrower
Napalm Dispenser
Greek Fire (historic)
Flammenwerfer
Oil Projector
Fuel Torch Launcher
Liquid Flame Gun
Pressure Flame Projector
Handheld Incendiary Tool

Military Heavy Weapons Names

These types of weapons are often mounted and used by armed forces during large-scale conflicts. Their power affects a wide area.

Tanks and Armored Combat Systems

Main Battle Tank
Light Tank
Amphibious Tank
Armored Car
Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Self-Propelled Gun
Armored Recovery Vehicle
Tank Destroyer
Armored Personnel Carrier
Wheeled Tank

Artillery Cannons and Howitzers

Field Gun
Howitzer
Mortar
Anti-Aircraft Gun
Coastal Gun
Rocket Artillery
Recoilless Rifle
Siege Cannon
Naval Cannon
Self-Propelled Howitzer

Surface-to-Air and Surface-to-Surface Missiles

SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile)
SSM (Surface-to-Surface Missile)
Cruise Missile
Ballistic Missile
Tactical Missile
Guided Missile
Anti-Ship Missile
Interceptor Missile
ICBM
Anti-Radiation Missile

Types of Airborne and Naval Weapons

These weapons are launched from sea or air platforms and target enemy assets from distance or while in motion.

Fighter Jet-Based Armaments

Air-to-Air Missiles
Bombs
Strafing Cannons
Cluster Bombs
Guided Bomb Units
Laser-Guided Missiles
Napalm Bombs
Gun Pods
Smart Bombs
Airburst Ammunition

Helicopter Attack Systems

Minigun
Rocket Pods
ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile)
Chain Gun
Cannon Turret
Door Gunner System
Hydra Rockets
Airborne Mortar
Guided Missiles
Incendiary Rockets

Torpedoes and Submarine Weapon Systems

Heavy Torpedo
Lightweight Torpedo
Wake Homing Torpedo
Wire-Guided Torpedo
Electric Torpedo
Nuclear Torpedo
Acoustic Homing Torpedo
Depth Charges
Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile
Underwater Mine Layer

Naval Guns and Missile-Launching Ships

Deck Gun
CIWS (Close-In Weapon System)
Vertical Launch System
Anti-Ship Missile
Naval Cannon
Missile Frigate
Destroyer-Class Gun
Torpedo Tube
Guided Missile Cruiser
Battleship Gun

Non-Lethal and Riot Control Devices

Used to subdue, control, or defend without causing permanent harm. Often used by police or security forces.

Rubber Bullets and Impact Weapons

Rubber Bullets
Bean Bag Rounds
Foam Projectiles
Stun Baton
Baton Round
Kinetic Impact Projectile
Wooden Dowels
Stinger Ball
Hard Foam Baton
Blunt-Tip Round

Tear Gas and Chemical Irritants

CS Gas
CN Gas
OC Spray
Mace
PAVA Spray
Smoke Cartridge
Pepper Ball
Irritant Canister
Fogger Can
Chemical Aerosol

Tasers and Electroshock Tools

Stun Gun
Taser Gun
Electroshock Baton
Conducted Energy Weapon
Dart-Firing Stun Gun
Contact Stun Device
Civilian Taser
X26 Taser
Police Taser
Dual-Shot Electroshock

Water Cannons and Crowd Dispersal Devices

Mounted Water Cannon
Backpack Sprayer
Pressure Jet System
Riot Control Truck
Direct-Stream Cannon
Mobile Water Unit
Variable Pressure Hose
Pulse Jet Sprayer
Water Blaster
Crowd Dispersal Spray

Modern Personal Defense Weapons

These are used by civilians and security personnel for everyday safety and threat prevention.

Pepper Sprays and Self-Defense Sprays

OC Spray
Mace
Gel Spray
Fogger
Stream Spray
Pepper Foam
Pocket Spray
Tear Gas Combo
Keychain Spray
Police-Grade Spray

Tactical Pens and Everyday Carry Blades

Tactical Pen
EDC Knife
Neck Knife
Credit Card Knife
Self-Defense Key
Kubotan
Tactical Stylus
Blade Comb
Push Knife
Hidden Blade Ring

Compact Pistols for Civilian Use

Subcompact Pistol
Pocket Pistol
Compact Revolver
Concealed Carry Gun
Single-Stack Pistol
Micro Pistol
Lightweight Handgun
Slim Frame Gun
Polymer Frame Pistol
DA/SA Compact

Improvised and Unconventional Weapon Types

These weapons are made from ordinary tools or objects when conventional weapons aren’t available.

Makeshift Weapons in Urban Conflicts

Pipe Bomb
Acid Bottle
Nail Bomb
Homemade Grenade
Spiked Bat
Pressure Cooker Bomb
Broken Glass Blade
Canister Bomb
Petrol Bottle
Fire Extinguisher Bomb

Tools Turned into Combat Devices

Hammer
Screwdriver
Chainsaw
Nail Gun
Crowbar
Wrench
Hatchet
Ice Pick
Blowtorch
Utility Knife

FAQs about Types of Weapons

What’s the difference between a dagger and a knife?

A dagger has a pointed tip and double edges, made mainly for stabbing in combat. A knife usually has one sharp edge and is more often used for cutting or utility purposes.

How long must a blade be to be called a sword?

Blades longer than about 24 inches are typically considered swords. If it’s under 14 inches, it’s usually called a dagger or knife depending on design.

What are the main types of firearms by gun category?

Most guns fall into three categories: handguns (like pistols and revolvers), rifles, and shotguns. Each is used for different ranges and situations.

What exactly is a polearm?

A polearm is a weapon with a long shaft and a blade or spike on one end. Examples include spears, halberds, and lances, used mainly in infantry battles.

How do slings differ from bows?

A sling hurls stones using cords and momentum, while a bow shoots arrows using tension from a string and bent limbs. Both were early long-range weapons, but they work differently.

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