Abzug, Germ. the trigger of a gun.
Achsel, Germ. see pauldron.
Achselhohlscheibe, Germ. see rondel.
Achselschilde, Germ. see ailette.
Acroc, a hook or clasp.
Adargue, a heart-shaped buckler, G.
Affust, } gun-carriage.
Afut, }
Agaric, tinder used with flint-lock gun.
Agier, O.F. darts.
Aguinia, machines or engines of war.
Aguzo, It. the point of the spear.
Aiguilettes, tags at the ends of laces for fastening the various pieces of armour.
Ailettes, wing-like pieces of plate or cuir-bouilly worn on the shoulders. Very rare and seldom seen on monuments. XIII-XIV cent.
Aketon, see gambeson.
Alabarda, It. halberd.
Alaguès, Halaguès, O.F. soldiers of fortune, free-lances, R.
Alarica, a heavy triangular-pointed spear.
Alberc, Germ. see hauberk.
Alberia, a shield without armorial bearings.
Alborium, a bow of hazel, XI cent.
Alemèle, Fr. the lame or blade of the sword.
Alemella, It. a knife or dagger, XIV cent.
Alfange, Sp. cutlass.
Alferanna, Sp. a banner.
Algier, O.F. dart.
Allecret, a variety of half-armour, end of XVI cent.
Almarada, Sp. a stiletto or dagger.
Almayne rivet, suit of light half-armour, XVI cent.
Almete, Sp. a close, round helmet, armet.
Alzo, It. the “sight” of the firearm.
Amadue, Fr. see agaric.
Ameure, a dagger.
Amorce, priming.
Amorcoir, Fr. powder-flask.
Amussette, Fr. a breech-loading musket, XVIII cent.
Anelace, a broad-bladed dagger, early XIV cent.
Angon, a javelin used in the VI cent. The head was heavy and the top part of the shaft thin, so that it bent on impact and thus hampered the stricken man, G.
Animes, a cuirass of horizontal lames, R.
Antebrachia, see vambrace.
Antela, see poitrel.
Antia, the handle of a buckler.
Anzerdecke, Germ. see barde.
Appogiar, the cantle of the saddle.
Arbalest, a crossbow.
Arbalest à cric, a heavy crossbow used in sieges.
Arbalest à cranequin, a crossbow drawn with a windlass.
Arbrier, the tiller of a crossbow.
Arcabuz, Sp. see arquebus.
Archet de fer, the moulded ring on the breech of a cannon, base-ring.
Archegaye, a staff sharpened at both ends carried by estradiots, XV cent.
Archibuso, It. see arquebus.
Arcioni, It. the fore and aft peaks of the saddle.
Arcon, the saddle-bow.
Arescuel, the grip of a lance, R.
Arest de lance, vamplate, later the lance-rest, G.
Arganello, It. the windlass of a crossbow.
Argolets, French mounted arquebussiers, XVI-XVII cent., R.
Arma bianca, It. } sword.
Arme blanche, Fr. }
Armacudium, an indefinite weapon of offence.
Arma d’asta, It. any long-shafted weapon.
Armatoste, Sp. the windlass of a crossbow.
Armes à l’épreuve, pistol-proof armour.
Armet, a close helmet with bevor and movable visor.
Armil, see surcoat.
Armin, an ornamental hand-grip for the pike made of velvet or leather.
Arming-bonett, a padded cap worn under the helmet.
Arming-doublet, worn under the armour.
Arming-hose, long hose worn under leg-armour.
Arming-points, laces for tying on parts of the suit of armour.
Arming-sword, a short sword worn on the right side.
Armkachen, Germ. elbow-cops.
Armoyer, O.F. armourer, maker of sword-hilts, R.
Armröhen, Germ. cannon of the vambrace.
Armrust, Germ. crossbow.
Armure cannelée, Fr. fluted armour.
Armzeug, Germ. brassard.
Arnesi, It. harness as used for “armour.”
Arquebus, a musket of XVI cent.
Arrêt, Fr. small decorated tabs used on straps for armour and horse-furniture, G.
Arrêt de lance, Fr. lance-rest.
Arrière-bras, Fr. see rerebrace.
Arrière-hilt, the counter-guard or knuckle-bow of the sword.
Asbergo, a breastplate or cuirass, a vamplate, F.
Asper, aspar, the “grip” of the lance.
Aspergès, O.F. a mace, R; see holy-water sprinkle.
Astile, It. the shaft of a lance.
Astonne, a lance, R.
Astregal, a moulding on a cannon.
Atilt, the position in which the lance was held in charging.
Attry, O.E. artillery.
Auber, see alborium.
Ausfatz, Germ. the “sight” of a firearm.
Avance, Fr. the front peak of the burgonet.
Avant-bras, see vambrace.
Avant plat, see vamplate.
Aventail, breathing aperture in helmet, the earliest form of visor.
Azza, It. a long-shafted axe.
Azzimino, It. fine inlay work on Oriental weapons, F.
Bacchetta, It. a ramrod.
Back-sword, sword with single-edged blade.
Bacul, O.F. crupper of horse-trappings, R.
Bacyn, see bascinet.
Badelaire, Fr. a short cutlass.
Bagonet, } a dagger fitted to the musket, circ. 1672.
Bayonet, }
Bagordare, O.It. to hold a burlesque tournament.
Baguette, ramrod, also brayette, q.v.
Bainbergs, shin-defences of metal or cuir-bouilly.
Baldrick, } an ornamented belt to carry the sword, XIV cent.
Bawdric, }
Balestra, It. see arbalest.
Balloch knife, a knife or dagger with balls instead of quillons, XV-XVI cent.
Balayn, } whalebone used for crests or the swords for tourneys.
Balon, }
Banded mail, mail formed of rings through which a leathern thong was passed horizontally on the hauberk.
Bandes, Fr. see lames.
Bandes de bout d’affust, trail-plate of a cannon, H.
Bandes de dessus, axle-tree bands, cape squares, H.
Bandolier, musketeer’s belt to carry gun-charges in separate cases of wood or metal.
Bannerets, those knighted on the field of battle and entitled to carry banners.
Banquelets, Fr. strips of decorated metal on a sword-belt to keep the belt rigid, G.
Barbazzale, It. the “grummet” of a bridle.
Barbera, Sp. see mentonière.
Barbière, Fr. }
Barbote, Sp. } see bevor.
Barbotto, It. }
Barbuta, a piece of head-armour, a bevor, F.
Barbute, } a form of bascinet of unknown type, also a light horseman.
Barbet, }
Bardes, } horse-armour.
Barding, }
Barde de crinière, Fr. see crinet.
Bardiche, a variety of pole-axe.
Barducium, see morning star.
Barthaube, Germ. chin-guard of plate.
Barriers, the division of wood which separated combatants in foot-jousts, also the jousts themselves.
Bascinet, a light helmet of ovoid form tapering to a point at the summit, worn with or without a visor, XIII-XV cent.
Bascuette, O.E. see bascinet.
Base, O.F. a short sword or cutlass, R.
Bases, skirts of fabric or, in armour, of plate, XVI cent.
Basilard, a curved civilian sword, XIV cent.
Bask sword, a stout, single-edged blade.
Bassinet, Fr. priming-pan of a firelock.
Bastard sword, a long sword for cut and thrust with grip sufficiently long for two hands, or a blunted sword for practice.
Baston, a mace or club with polygonally cut head.
Baston, gros, O.F. large ordnance, R.
Battecul, see garde-rein.
Batticuli, taces or loin-guards of plate, F.
Bauchreifen, Germ. see taces.
Baudik, see baldrick.
Baudrier, Fr. cross-belt.
Bavier, Fr. } see bevor.
Baviera, It. }
Bergaman, O.F. a cutlass or dagger from Bergamo, R.
Bear-paw, } a form of solleret with obtuse point.
Bec du cane, }
Becco di corvo, It. see martel de fer.
Bec de faucon, Fr. a war-hammer.
Beckenhaube, Germ. see bascinet.
Beinröhren, Germ. see jambe.
Beintaschen, Germ. see tassets.
Beinzeug, Germ. see cuissard.
Beringt, Germ. ringed mail.
Beruier, Fr. a light head-piece with ear-flaps and chin-strap, XV cent., G.
Besagues, O.E. small plates to protect the armpits, any small plates of metal.
Bessa, a pickaxe used by pioneers, XV cent.
Beavor, } chin-piece of an armet or a sallad.
Bevor, }
Bicoquet, Fr. a species of bascinet with neck and chin piece, XV cent., G.
Bicorn, } small anvil.
Bickiron, }
Bigateno, O.F. a javelin or dart, R.
Bilbo, a small rapier.
Bill, a weapon with scythe-like blade and six-foot shaft.
Billette, F., see toggle.
Biro, O.F., a dart, javelin, or arrow, R.
Bisacuta, } the military pick or two-edged axe, XIII-XIV cent.
Bisague, O.F., }
Bishop’s mantle, a cape of mail.
Blacon, O.F., a buckler or shield, R.
Blanc haubert, Fr., coat of mail.
Blanchon, O.F., a kind of pike, R.
Blank wafte, Germ. see arme blanche.
Boetes, boxes, H.
Bohordicum, a burlesque joust in which sham lances (bohours) were used.
Bombarde, an early form of ordnance resembling a mortar.
Bonbicinium, see bascinet.
Bordon, }
Bordonasse, } a lance used for jousting.
Borto, }
Boson, an arrow with a blunt point.
Bossoirs, the bosses on the peytral of a horse.
Botafogo, Sp. see linstock.
Botta a, It. } armour proof against sword, axe, or lance blow.
Botte à, Fr. }
Botte cassée, Fr., armour proof against all weapons, “high proof.”
Botton, a button or buckle for fastening the gorget to the breast-piece.
Bouche, the hole cut in the corner of the shield through which to point the lance; also the circular hole in the vamplate.
Boucles, Fr. see genouillière.
Boudrier, Fr. see bandolier.
Bougeran, } buckram used for tournament armour.
Bougran, }
Bougon, } blunt-headed arrow for shooting game.
Boujon, }
Bougeon, }
Boujon, } a crossbow quarrel, R.
Boulon, }
Bourdonasse, Fr. see bordon.
Bourlet, Fr. a coif.
Bourlet, Fr. the swell of the muzzle of a cannon.
Bourlette, Fr. a mace.
Bourrelet, à, Fr. a method of attaching two plates together sliding in burrs or slots.
Boutefeu, Fr. linstock.
Bouterolle, Fr. the chape of a sword.
Boutreaux, Fr. the pendent strips of leather or fabric which decorated the horse-trappings of the XV-XVI cent., G.
Bracciale, It. brassard.
Bracciaiuola, It. a small shield with arm-guard and “sword-breaker” in one piece.
Bracciali, It. see brassard.
Bracconnière, Fr. see taces.
Bracelet, Fr. the ring of metal which joined the vambrace to the rerebrace, the elbow-cop, C.
Bracer, a leathern wrist-guard used by archers of the long-bow.
Bracheta, O.It. } see brayette.
Braghetta, }
Brandistocco, It. a three-pronged spear, a swine-feather.
Braquemart, a short, broad-bladed cutting sword.
Brasalot, O.F. see elbow-cop.
Brassard, the whole arm-defence, including vambrace, elbow-cop, and rerebrace.
Brasselet, see bracer.
Bratspiess, Germ. see ranseur.
Brayette, O.F. for codpiece.
Brazale, Sp. brassard.
Brechenmesser, Germ. see falcione.
Brechränder, Germ, neck-guards on the pauldrons.
Bretelles, Fr. straps for joining breast and back pieces.
Briccola, O.It. a tiller or crossbow to shoot stones or arrows, F.
Brichette, armour for loins and hips.
Brichette, } breast-armour, XV cent.
Brikette, }
Brigandine, a body-defence of small plates riveted to a cover and lining of fabric.
Briquet, Fr. a sword of cutlass form, early XIX cent.
Brise-cuirass, Fr. a short, strong dagger.
Brise-épée, Fr. see sword-breaker.
Brochiero, It. a small buckler used for sword and buckler fights.
Broigne, a shirt of mail.
Broke, O.F. a kind of dagger, R.
Broquel, Sp. see rondache.
Brújula, Sp. see visor.
Brunt, O.E. the front or peytral of a horse-trapper.
Brustpanzer, Germ. see peytral.
Brustschild mit schönbart, Germ, tilting-breastplate with mentonière.
Bruststück, Germ. breastplate.
Brygandyrons, see brigandine.
Budrière, It. cross-belt for a sword.
Bufe, a movable bevor used with an open casqe.
Bufeta, Sp. neck-guards on a pauldron.
Buffa, the buffe or face-plate of a burgonet.
Bufle, a coat of buff leather.
Buffetin, Fr. see colletto.
Burdo, see borto.
Bukel, Germ. see rondache.
Burghera, a gorget, F.
Burgonet, a light, open helmet, generally found with ear-flaps and sometimes a face-guard, XVI-XVII cent.
Burr, the iron ring on the lance below the “grip” to prevent the hand slipping back.
Buttafuoco, It. see linstock.
Buttière, Fr. a type of arquebus.
Buzo, It. see quarrel.
Cabasset, a helmet with narrow brim all round, XVI cent.
Cairelli, O.It. see quarrel.
Caissia, It. a case or quiver for arrows.
Calce, the vamplate of a lance, also the butt end, also stockings, F.
Caliver, a short firelock.
Calote, a skull-cap worn under the hat by cavalry, XVII cent.
Caltrop, a ball with four spikes placed on the ground to receive cavalry.
Calva, Sp. skull or bowl of a helmet.
Camaglio, It. see camail.
Camail, a hood or tippet of chain mail, XIV-XV cent.
Camba, O.It. see jambs.
Camberia, see jambières.
Camisado, It. the wearing of white shorts over armour for night attacks.
Campane, { O.F. the part of the horse-trappings on the
Campanelle, { haunches, decorated with large bells, XV-XVI cent.
Cambrasia, O.It. a dart or arrow, F.
Cannon, the tubular vambrace.
Cantle, the rear peak of the saddle.
Capel de nerfs, a whalebone or leather helmet, XIV cent.
Capelina, It. a skull-cap of steel.
Capellum, the sword sheath or scabbard.
Caperuza, Sp. see chapel-de-fer.
Carcasse, Fr. a bomb.
Carcasse, It. a quiver.
Cardelli, It. see quarrel.
Cargan, a collar or gorget of mail.
Carnet, the visor.
Carousella, } a mimic fight with clay balls and shields.
Carousel, }
Carquois, Fr. a quiver.
Carreau, Fr. see quarrel.
Cartouche, Fr., a charge of powder and shot wrapped up in paper; a cartridge.
Casque, open helmet, often of classical design, late XVI cent.
Casquetel, an open head-piece with brim and back peak reaching far down the neck, XVII cent.
Cassa, It. the stock of a firearm.
Castle, O.E. a variety of helmet.
Cataffratto, } a mail-clad horse.
Cataphractus eques, }
Cataye, O.F. a javelin or a catapult, R.
Catchpole, a long-handled spring fork used to catch the opposing knight round the neck and unhorse him.
Catocio, the charge of powder for musket or cannon, F.
Caxeo, } Sp. see casque.
Caxa, }
Cazoleta, Sp. the “pan” of the arquebus.
Celada de engole, Sp. a helm worn for foot-jousts with axe, sword, or spear.
Celata, It. see sallad.
Celata da incastro, It. see armet.
Celata Veneziana, It. a Venetian form of sallad with a nose-piece, XV cent.
Cerbatane, some kind of ordnance, G.
Cerveliera, It. a metal skull-cap, a secrete.
Cervicale, Fr. see crinet, G.
Cesello, It. repoussé-work used in the decoration of armour.
Chamfron, }
Chanfrein, } defence of plate for the horse’s head.
Chanfron, }
Champ-clos, O.F. see lists.
Chape, the metal tip at the lower end of a sword or dagger sheath.
Chapel d’acier, Fr. a steel war-hat.
Chapel-de-fer, Fr. a broad-brimmed helmet used from XII to XVI cent.
Chapel de Montauban, Fr. a steel war-hat made at Montauban, XIV cent.
Chapewe, see chapel-de-fer.
Chapras, the brass badge worn by a messenger.
Chard, the string of a sling.
Charnel, O.E. the bolt that fixed the tilting-helm to the breastplate.
Chausses, covering for the lower leg and foot of chain mail.
Chaussons, trews or breeches of chain mail.
Cheeks, the strips of iron that fix the pike-head to the shaft.
Cheminée, Fr. the nipple of a gun.
Cherval, a gorget.
Chastones, rivets.
Chianetta, a helmet, F.
Chiave da mota, It. key for a wheel-lock.
Chien, Fr., cock of a firelock.
Chiodo da voltare, It. a turning-rivet.
Choque, some kind of firearm, variety unknown.
Cimier, the crest on the helm.
Cinquedea, It. a short, broad-bladed dagger for ceremonial use, made in Venice and Verona, five fingers (cinque ditta) wide at the base.
Ciseau, a blunt-headed quarrel for the crossbow, G.
Clavel, O.F., a lace for fastening the coif of mail or the hauberk, G.
Clavones, rivets.
Claid heamh, a sword, Gaelic.
Claid mor, a broadsword, Gaelic.
Claid crom, a sabre, Gaelic.
Claid caol, a small sword, Gaelic.
Claymore, a Scottish two-hand sword (see above). The modern use of the word is erroneous.
Clef, trigger.
Clevengi, studs to fasten the fendace or gorget.
Clibanion, a jack of scale armour, G.
Clipeus, It. a circular shield.
Clous perdus, Fr., false and useless rivet-heads found in XVII-cent. armour.
Cnémide, Fr. see jambs.
Coche, the notch of an arrow, the nut of a crossbow, C.
Coda di gambero, It. see lobster-tail.
Codole, Sp. elbow-cop.
Codpiece, a piece of plate to protect the fore-body.
Coif de mailes, hood of chain mail, see camail.
Colichemarde, swords invented by Königsmark about 1661–86.
Colet, }
Coletin, } Fr. a gorget, also a jerkin.
Collettin, }
Colletto, It. a buff coat.
Collo, It. see crinet.
Colodrillo, Sp. the plate of the helmet that covered the nape of the neck.
Coltellaccio, It. see cutlass.
Cophia, a coif of mail.
Coppo, It. the skull of a helm or helmet.
Corale, see cuisses.
Coracina, Sp. cuirass.
Corium, armour composed of leather.
Cornel, } O.E. the rosette or button fixed on the
Coronall, } tip of the lance in some forms of tilting.
Corpel, O.F. the hilt of a sword, R.
Corregge, It. see bretelles.
Corseque, Fr. a species of partizan, G.
Corsesca, It. see ranseur.
Cosciale, }
Coscioni, } see cuissard.
Costale, }
Coschewes, O.E. see cuisses.
Costa, It. the wings on the head of the war-mace.
Coat-armour, see surcoat.
Coterel, O.F. a large knife, R.
Cotta di maglia, It. a coat of mail.
Cottyngyre, cold-chisel.
Coude, }
Coudière, } elbow-pieces of plate.
Coute, }
Coup de poing, Fr. a small pistol.
Coursel, Fr. windlass for a crossbow, G.
Coussart, a demi-glaive, XV cent.
Coustile, Fr. a knife and possibly a staff-weapon with cutting point, G.
Coustil à croc, } short, single-handed sword with two-edged blade.
Coutel, }
Couvrenuque, Fr. the neck-plate of the back of the armet or sallad.
Cracowes, } sometimes used for poleynes and also
Crakoes, } for pointed shoes, XIV cent.
Crampon, a bolt for attaching the helm to the cuirass.
Cranequin, the wheel and ratchet machine for bending the crossbow.
Cravates, French mounted militia.
Cresta, It. }
Cresteria, Sp. } crest of a helmet.
Crête, Fr. }
Crête-échelle, a support fixed from helm to back-plate to take the shock when tilting.
Crêtu, O.F. a sword-breaker, R.
Crinet, armour for the horse’s neck.
Crochets de retraits, trail-hooks of a cannon, H.
Crinière, see crinet.
Croissante, see moton.
Crosse, the butt of a gun or a crossbow.
Croupière, armour for the hinder part of a horse.
Cubitiera, It. elbow-cop.
Cubrenuca, Sp. see couvrenuque.
Cuirass, body-armour, originally of leather, afterwards of plate.
Cuir-bouilly, } defences for horse and man made of
Cure-buly, } boiled and moulded leather.
Cuissards, leg-armour, comprising cuisses and knee-cops and jambs.
Cuishe, }
Cuisse, } thigh-pieces of plate.
Cuyshe, }
Cuissots, see cuisse.
Culasse, the breech of a gun.
Culet, kilt or skirt.
Cullotes, Fr. breeches.
Culverin, a hand-gun or light piece of ordnance, XV, XVII cent.
Curatt, see cuirass.
Curtale, O.It., a variety of cannon, F.
Curtana, the blunted “sword of Mercy” used at the Coronation.
Curtelaxe, O.E. for cutlass.
Ciclaton, } a tight-fitting surcoat shorter in front
Cyclas, } than behind, XIV cent.
Cyseau, O.F. an arrow or dart, R.