Old Weapons That Are Still Used All the Time

Since the beginning of time, people have been looking for ways to keep themselves safe.

While most weapons have evolved over the years, some are still used today in their original forms. A myriad of weapons are intended for personal protection. Others were designed with the military needs in mind. It’s crucial to note that weapons can cause serious harm, so make sure to keep them out of the hands of kids.

One of the oldest weapons in the world that’s still used today is a knife. There are plenty of various reasons why knives are still popular in 2024. While many people think of knives as kitchen utensils, they can do tons of damage. It’s vital to remember that knives should only be used in self-defense. If you have a knife around your home and you have young children, there are covers that ensure the knife won’t accidentally cut one of your young ones.

A military weapon that’s been around for decades is the grenade. The modern-day grenade was developed during the 20th century. The weapon became common among soldiers during World War II. It was designed to feel like throwing a baseball. The engineers who designed the modern-day grenade assumed that every American boy knew how to throw a baseball. For more weapons content, click here to read about the 20 iconic guns every enthusiast knows about.

To compile this list of old weapons that are still used all the time, 24/7 Tempo consulted military-related sources. These include MilitaryHistoryNow and U.S. Naval Institute.

Knife

One of the oldest weapons in history is the knife. The first military knife was introduced in the 1300s by the English. Because there were no guns, combat was done with your opponent directly in front of you. Most men carried a battle sword with a knife on their side. Back then, a knife was considered convenient because of how light they were. Knives also take up little space. They can be sharpened as much as possible.

These days, knives are still an important part of battle. While hand to hand combat is rarer today than hundreds of years ago, folks in the military still carry one around on the off chance they come close to a target. Knives are also a fantastic way to ensure the person you’re after is undoubtedly killed. Civilians use knives all the time as well. Pocket knives are an essential item to bring while camping. There are also tons of courses to test your knife skills.

M500 Shotgun

The first M500 shotgun was released in 1961. The creator of the gun claimed he was inspired to make it for those who enjoy hunting. While anyone who finds themselves in the woods is happy to have an M500 on their hands, the military has figured out how to make good use of the gun as well. The shot is powerful, which is why both hunters and the military alike love it. It also has up to eight shots per round. That means users don’t have to continue to reload the weapon.

The popularity of the gun is still around in 2024. As technology has advanced, so has the gun. Owning a shotgun has become more popular among civilians. There’s seemingly more of a threat than ever that someone is going to break into your home. Some folks are even bold enough to attempt to attack you while you’re in your car. The M500 is considered the perfect shotgun to own if you’re looking to keep yourself and loved ones safe.

Brass knuckles

Another one of the oldest weapons that’s still in use today are brass knuckles. They became popular in the United States during the Civil War. While there were guns around at that time, tons of battles were still fought with people only feet away. During the times when the enemy was near, having brass knuckles was a great way to give as much damage as possible. Even if they didn’t instantly kill your opponent, a wound would likely form that got infected.

These days, it’s rare to find brass knuckles on the battlefield. Most of the time, folks in the military resort to knives whenever they’re within striking distance of an opponent. However, there are plenty of people who keep brass knuckles with them in case of an emergency. They’re easy to carry and don’t carry a lot of attention, like some defense weapons do.

Bayonet

Ever since guns were invented, people were looking for different ways to enhance them. One of the most popular ways was by adding a bayonet to the end of the gun. A bayonet is essentially a knife that can be added to the end. One fear that soldiers who fought during the Revolutionary War had was running out of ammunition. Once their ammo was out, they could continue battling by extending the bayonet. It doesn’t always have to be added to a gun, though. Bayonets could be used as regular knives, instead.

While most military guns don’t have a bayonet added to them in 2024, it’s popular for hunting guns to have them. Imagine you’re in the forest deer hunting. If you shoot and miss the deer, there’s a chance it comes after you. One of the best ways to protect yourself is having a bayonet at the end of your gun. You’re ensuring the animal doesn’t get too close to you before you finish off the kill.

Grenade

Grenades were one of the most important weapons the military brought into World War II and the Vietnam War. They were first designed to feel like throwing a baseball. The engineers who created the grenade figured that every American man knew how to throw a baseball. They were also light enough and could be thrown with extreme precision and accuracy. The key was to throw the grenade at the perfect time after setting it off.

Grenades are still used in battles today during war. Unsurprisingly, it’s illegal for the general public to own a grenade at home. Tons of folks compare grenades to smoke bombs, since both are so popular for military use. It’s not a given that a grenade will kill you. There are plenty of stories of war heroes jumping on a grenade to save their squad. However, they’re still incredibly dangerous and should be taken seriously.

Nunchucks

It’s not uncommon to come across a martial arts studio where the students know hot to use nunchucks. The weapon was first designed in the 1600s, making it one of the oldest weapons that’s still in use. Nunchucks were considered dangerous when they were first incorporated because of how challenging it is to defend against them. The ends of the weapon are incredibly heavy, while the middle is made from metal.

These days, nunchucks are considered more of an art. There are competitions where people showcase what they can do with a nunchuck. Seemingly every martial arts movie has a scene or two where someone battles with nunchucks. The weapon isn’t a toy and should be taken very seriously. The value of old nunchucks has skyrocketed over the years, as people have gained more of a fascination with ancient Asia.

Machete

When the British invaded Cuba in the 1700s, one of the main weapons they brought with them was the machete. The blade is known for being even sharper and deadlier than a knife. Since the people on the island of Cuba didn’t have the same technology as the British, the battle was seemingly over before it started. Another notable time when machetes were used was during the genocide of Rwanda during the 1990s.

These days, machetes are still used in some third world countries to invoke fear. However, fear isn’t the only use for machetes. Plenty of farmers and people who live off the land count on machetes to cut fruit to sell. There are plenty of folks who have a better use for machetes than others. Since they’re so useful when working on land, machetes will likely always be around. However, as technology continues to expand, folks in the military might resort to other weapons to instigate fear.

Sword

Swords were one of the first weapons that people took into battle with them. At first, swords were incredibly heavy to carry. Early versions of the weapon were designed to weigh a lot to invoke the most damage possible. However, those holding them found they weren’t nearly at the advantage they thought they were. If someone holding a sword missed, the person they were attacking would have an easy shot at them.

As time has progressed, swords have become lighter and easier to use. Many people these days only use them when they’re showcasing their skills. Swords have also become one of the best ways to honor someone in the military. One of the most popular places to see someone with a sword at their side is outside of Buckingham Palace in England. Those protecting the palace will always be armed with a sword next to them.

Taser

In the 1970s, a man named Jack Cover successfully created the first taser. The idea was that the weapon could subdue someone without killing them. The electric volts that jolted through their body would force them to lie down and not get up. Law enforcement quickly purchased as many tasers as they could.

These days, police still use tasers when they’re attempting to catch a criminal running away from them. There are also people in public who carry tasers for their own protection. Plenty of young women feel safer knowing they have a powerful weapon at their disposal when they’re walking alone at night.

Beretta 92

In places like Arizona and Texas, it’s typical and common to see someone with a pistol strapped to their side. The Beretta 92 was first produced later on in the 1900s as one of the earliest semi-automatic pistols on the market. They were first only sold to the military and law enforcement, since they were considered highly dangerous. Most common people didn’t feel the need to have a semi-automatic pistol strapped to their side at all times.

However, as time has progressed, more people have lined up to get whatever permits are necessary to own a gun. There are tons of examples where someone saved the day with a pistol they legally owned. The gun-control debate will continue to be a hot topic in the United States. People who own a Beretta M9 side with those who suggest owning a gun is a Constitutional right. For more weapons content, click here to read about the 10 rarest guns in the world.

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