[A. Spanjer]

Does anyone know what sort of small arms would have been used aboard ships during the Thirty Years War and the English Civil War?

I'm looking for general information and specific examples, especially images.


Thanks to all!

[A. Spanjer]

Okay, I'll try some more specific questions.

Did cutlasses exist during this time, or would other cutting swords like falchions, side swords or other straight bladed swords have been more common? Were rapiers used on board ships?

About firearms, were muskets and pistols used on board ships during this period very much? Would they have been matchlock or would wheel-lock and flintlock have been more common at sea?


Again, thanks for the help!

[Jean Thibodeau]

Not sure to what degree there would have been uniform issue " naval " small arms at this period that would differ significantly from the small arms used on land ?

Not very helpful for you but maybe " Bumping up this Topic " will attract actual knowledge and comments by others ?

As far as Captains, ship's officers or other social elites part of the crew or on board defence force: Swords and pistols might be privately owned and not follow an official pattern.

Unfortunately just based on period movies or T.V. series like the " Horatio Hornblower " the common sailor would not have access to weapons with them being issued just before action to either board or repel boarders from arms lockers and these would include multiple pistols ( no time to reload when boarding, so having more than one pistol would be useful ), boarding axes pikes, naval dirks and cutlasses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornblower_(TV_series)

Now that is late 18th early 19th centuries, around 1620 or so ships armament in small arms might vary according to the tastes and temperament of individual captains of ships rather than issue weapons approved by the Admiralty ? ( But just guessing here. ).

If I got it all wrong, this might motivate someone to post.

[Roger Hooper]

I think there was little if any standardization in 17th century navies. Most probably used short bladed versions of contemporary military swords like mortuarys and walloons.

You might find something in one of the Osprey type books

There were definitely some 17th century hangers which would have been useful naval weapons. You can see a few photos of these 17th century swords in George Neumann's, Swords and Blades of the American Revolution

It is likely that some of the hangers made at Hounslow ended up on board ships.

Also - look Here - wrong side of the century, but you get the idea.

Or Here

Some of these look a lot like modified hunting swords.