BOW & CROSSBOW
These proven weapons had been used for centuries by many countries. When in range, the bow and arrow could be used by the pirates to pick off personal from the decks and rigging of the victims ship before boarding. The bow was eventually replaced by the developement of firearms. The effective range of the bow as compared to firearms at that time varied. Due in part to the skill of the user, and the quality of the firearms of the period. However, the bow could be difficult to accurately use aboard moving ships unless the wind and seas were relatively calm.
MUSKETOON
This was a shorter version of the musket type rifle. It was less accurate than it's longer brother. But because of it's short barrel, it was easier to use while fighting in the cramped conditions aboard a ship, where accuracy was not as important. It used the standard flintlock firing mechanism of the time. The musketoon weighed between ten and fifteen pounds, and was around two to three feet long. Many had a large bore diameter that would normally be loaded with multiple pistol type balls which spread as the shot traveled. The musketoons damage could be quite devastating at close range. Like the standard musket, it was considered a shoulder fired muzzle loaded weapon. Although the large bore versions of this weapon would probably have been uncomfortable to shoot from the shoulder, and may have been braced against something solid like the railing of the ship when fired. Unlike pistols, pirates probably only carried one of these at a time in battle because of there size.
BLUNDERBUSS
The blunderbuss was much like the musketoon in that it was a close range weapon. Some fired a very large ball. While most were loaded with a cluster of pistol balls, nails, glass or just about anything else that was in good supply. It was very deadly with these anti-personnel loads, and could mame and kill several people with a single blast. The blunderbuss weighed between ten and sixteen pounds, and was two to three feet in length. It had a large barrel bore diameter of around two inches. The barrel was flared outward at the end like a funnel. This odd looking flare design was supposed to help give the gun a wider shot patten. It was truely the crude shotgun type weapon of it's time, with a wide short range that could cause havoc on the crowded deck of a ship. One of the major problems with all firearms of this period, was that if the gunpowder got wet the gun would not fire correctly. And trying to keep a gun dry aboard a ship at sea could be very difficult.
MUSKET
The Musket was one of the first attempts at small arms with some accuracy. Which eventually became the model for the rifle. Early muskets used the old matchlock firing mechanism. But these were replaced by the flintlock which was more reliable, especially in the wet conditions aboard ships. The flintlock musket weighed between twelve and eighteen pounds, and was about four to five feet in length. The older matchlock muskets were usually slightly longer and heavier. Although the standard muzzle loaded musket had a smooth-bore barrel, some muskets used a rifled barrel which greatly increased there accuracy at longer range. The musket was not as popular a weapon like the musketoon and blunderbuss were with the pirates. This was because it was not considered as effective in close range boarding attacks as those weapons. The musket was used mainly as a long range sniping weapon in calm winds and seas, or against the opposing ships crew shortly before boarding began.
FLINTLOCK PISTOL
A favorite weapon among pirates for it's small size and light weight. An ideal weapon for personal defence and in boarding enemy ships. The firing mechanism was exactly like the larger flintlock rifles. Most fired a single shot and were loaded through the front of the barrel. Reloading was such a lengthy process that pirates would often carry several pistols and various bladed weapons into battle. Blackbeard was known to have carried six pistols, and Bartholomew Roberts was said to wear four pistols. These pistols were sometimes tied to their belts with silk cords to avoid dropping them overboard during a boarding attack. There was a variety of pistol sizes used by the pirates. Some prefered to carry larger ones that weighed around five pounds, and were roughly twelve to eighteen inches in length. Others carried smaller pistols that weighed about four pounds, and were six to ten inches long. These smaller pistols were normally not as accurate as the larger ones and caused less damage. But a pirate could carry more small pistols.
MULTI-BARRELED PISTOL
This was a muzzle loaded pistol that normally had between two and four barrels. Each barrel was designed to be fired separately. There was a wide variety of multi- barreled pistol styles that were produced at this time by the different countries of the world. Most were simply double barreled, side by side types that used two flintlock firing mechanisms and two triggers. Some used one firing mechanism, and two or more barrels that had to rotate into the correct position to fire each shot. This was known as a turnover type pistol. Multi-shot pistols were difficult and more expensive to produce than there single shot counterpart. Some were custom made for wealth individuals who could afford to adorn them with gold, silver or ivory. Making them less available and more popular among the pirates who prized them. But it could also be an awkward and heavy pistol to carry around. There reliablity could be questionable at times depending on the design type and quality.
VOLLEY & POCKET PISTOLS
There were other multi-barreled pistols that were designed to fire several barrels at the same time. These were called volley guns or duct foots. They normally had four or more barrels that were angled slightly to spread out the shots patten when they all fired at once. (Think of it as a sort of mini hand held shotgun.) Only effective at very close range, these pistols were not produced in any great numbers, and were not as popular as the other pistols of the time. Pocket pistols on the other hand were becoming more popular with the gentlemen and ladies of Europe. Designed to be easily carried and concealed, these convenient little pistols could be quite deadly. They were generally single shot, 'derringer' sized, muzzle loaded flintlock pistols. All were meant to be used at extremely close range.
GRENADE
An early form of hand grenade that was in common use by 1700. They were also called powder flasks. The ones used by pirates were normally small hollow ceramic balls with a fuse sticking out. These weighed about two pounds, and were roughly four inches in diameter. Grenades could also be made of iron, glass or wood. Common items like small glass bottles may have been used by some pirates to make them. Most were filled with gunpowder and small metal objects, which exploded into fragments. The explosive result could cause great bodily damage, and might totally demoralize a merchant ship crews will to fight on. Some may have been stuffed with tar and rags to creat a fire or smokescreen effect. The grenades fuse was lit just before being thrown at there intended target. However, they were not totally reliable, and could present a serious danger to the person using them as well. Damp weather and climate conditions could effect the fuses and gunpowder, causing them to not always burn at the same predictable rate of speed.
CANNON
There were several different sizes and types of ship cannon. These guns also fired a variety of shot types. By the end of the 17th century, cast-iron had replaced bronze as the most common metal used in making cannon. This material made it much easier and less expensive to produce them in large numbers. Cannon usually required a crew of three or four men to effectively fire and reload. Taking a couple of minutes for a trained crew to repeat the firing process. It took a lot of practice and training for a gun crew to be effective. In later guns, a flintlock firing mechanism began to replace the slow burning match and touch hole. This proved to be a safer and more reliable method of fire. It worked by pulling a lanyard to activate the firing mechanism. The main guns were normally placed along the sides of a ship. Battle tactics for attacking another ship were usually a broadside style attack. This required a ship to expose it�s side cannons to the enemy ship, then fire all of these guns repeatedly.
A ships cannon was referred to by the weight of the shot that it fired. The cannon itself usually weighed around two hundred times the weight of the shot it fired. Hence, an 8 pounder cannon weighed some 1600lbs, but fired a 8 pound ball. The weight of gunpowder needed was approximately half the weight of the shot fired. Ship cannon were made in various sizes from small 2 pounders, to large 24 pounder ship wreckers. Shore fortifications often boasted even heavier cannons. The big 32 pounders were commonly used for this. A typical gun size on a pirate sloop or small schooner would be 4 to 8 pounders. They could fire a cannonball over 1,000 yards. But the maximum effective range was more likely 100 to 200 yards. Cannonballs did little damage at long range, and cannon fire was notoriously inaccurate. These guns also wore out relatively quick. Normally becoming unsafe to use after around 500 to 1,000 shots. Since pirates did not normally intend to sink their prey, their guns were usually loaded with a selection of ammunition effective against personnel or rigging and sails.
These proven weapons had been used for centuries by many countries. When in range, the bow and arrow could be used by the pirates to pick off personal from the decks and rigging of the victims ship before boarding. The bow was eventually replaced by the developement of firearms. The effective range of the bow as compared to firearms at that time varied. Due in part to the skill of the user, and the quality of the firearms of the period. However, the bow could be difficult to accurately use aboard moving ships unless the wind and seas were relatively calm.
MUSKETOON
This was a shorter version of the musket type rifle. It was less accurate than it's longer brother. But because of it's short barrel, it was easier to use while fighting in the cramped conditions aboard a ship, where accuracy was not as important. It used the standard flintlock firing mechanism of the time. The musketoon weighed between ten and fifteen pounds, and was around two to three feet long. Many had a large bore diameter that would normally be loaded with multiple pistol type balls which spread as the shot traveled. The musketoons damage could be quite devastating at close range. Like the standard musket, it was considered a shoulder fired muzzle loaded weapon. Although the large bore versions of this weapon would probably have been uncomfortable to shoot from the shoulder, and may have been braced against something solid like the railing of the ship when fired. Unlike pistols, pirates probably only carried one of these at a time in battle because of there size.
BLUNDERBUSS
The blunderbuss was much like the musketoon in that it was a close range weapon. Some fired a very large ball. While most were loaded with a cluster of pistol balls, nails, glass or just about anything else that was in good supply. It was very deadly with these anti-personnel loads, and could mame and kill several people with a single blast. The blunderbuss weighed between ten and sixteen pounds, and was two to three feet in length. It had a large barrel bore diameter of around two inches. The barrel was flared outward at the end like a funnel. This odd looking flare design was supposed to help give the gun a wider shot patten. It was truely the crude shotgun type weapon of it's time, with a wide short range that could cause havoc on the crowded deck of a ship. One of the major problems with all firearms of this period, was that if the gunpowder got wet the gun would not fire correctly. And trying to keep a gun dry aboard a ship at sea could be very difficult.
MUSKET
The Musket was one of the first attempts at small arms with some accuracy. Which eventually became the model for the rifle. Early muskets used the old matchlock firing mechanism. But these were replaced by the flintlock which was more reliable, especially in the wet conditions aboard ships. The flintlock musket weighed between twelve and eighteen pounds, and was about four to five feet in length. The older matchlock muskets were usually slightly longer and heavier. Although the standard muzzle loaded musket had a smooth-bore barrel, some muskets used a rifled barrel which greatly increased there accuracy at longer range. The musket was not as popular a weapon like the musketoon and blunderbuss were with the pirates. This was because it was not considered as effective in close range boarding attacks as those weapons. The musket was used mainly as a long range sniping weapon in calm winds and seas, or against the opposing ships crew shortly before boarding began.
FLINTLOCK PISTOL
A favorite weapon among pirates for it's small size and light weight. An ideal weapon for personal defence and in boarding enemy ships. The firing mechanism was exactly like the larger flintlock rifles. Most fired a single shot and were loaded through the front of the barrel. Reloading was such a lengthy process that pirates would often carry several pistols and various bladed weapons into battle. Blackbeard was known to have carried six pistols, and Bartholomew Roberts was said to wear four pistols. These pistols were sometimes tied to their belts with silk cords to avoid dropping them overboard during a boarding attack. There was a variety of pistol sizes used by the pirates. Some prefered to carry larger ones that weighed around five pounds, and were roughly twelve to eighteen inches in length. Others carried smaller pistols that weighed about four pounds, and were six to ten inches long. These smaller pistols were normally not as accurate as the larger ones and caused less damage. But a pirate could carry more small pistols.
MULTI-BARRELED PISTOL
This was a muzzle loaded pistol that normally had between two and four barrels. Each barrel was designed to be fired separately. There was a wide variety of multi- barreled pistol styles that were produced at this time by the different countries of the world. Most were simply double barreled, side by side types that used two flintlock firing mechanisms and two triggers. Some used one firing mechanism, and two or more barrels that had to rotate into the correct position to fire each shot. This was known as a turnover type pistol. Multi-shot pistols were difficult and more expensive to produce than there single shot counterpart. Some were custom made for wealth individuals who could afford to adorn them with gold, silver or ivory. Making them less available and more popular among the pirates who prized them. But it could also be an awkward and heavy pistol to carry around. There reliablity could be questionable at times depending on the design type and quality.
VOLLEY & POCKET PISTOLS
There were other multi-barreled pistols that were designed to fire several barrels at the same time. These were called volley guns or duct foots. They normally had four or more barrels that were angled slightly to spread out the shots patten when they all fired at once. (Think of it as a sort of mini hand held shotgun.) Only effective at very close range, these pistols were not produced in any great numbers, and were not as popular as the other pistols of the time. Pocket pistols on the other hand were becoming more popular with the gentlemen and ladies of Europe. Designed to be easily carried and concealed, these convenient little pistols could be quite deadly. They were generally single shot, 'derringer' sized, muzzle loaded flintlock pistols. All were meant to be used at extremely close range.
GRENADE
An early form of hand grenade that was in common use by 1700. They were also called powder flasks. The ones used by pirates were normally small hollow ceramic balls with a fuse sticking out. These weighed about two pounds, and were roughly four inches in diameter. Grenades could also be made of iron, glass or wood. Common items like small glass bottles may have been used by some pirates to make them. Most were filled with gunpowder and small metal objects, which exploded into fragments. The explosive result could cause great bodily damage, and might totally demoralize a merchant ship crews will to fight on. Some may have been stuffed with tar and rags to creat a fire or smokescreen effect. The grenades fuse was lit just before being thrown at there intended target. However, they were not totally reliable, and could present a serious danger to the person using them as well. Damp weather and climate conditions could effect the fuses and gunpowder, causing them to not always burn at the same predictable rate of speed.
CANNON
There were several different sizes and types of ship cannon. These guns also fired a variety of shot types. By the end of the 17th century, cast-iron had replaced bronze as the most common metal used in making cannon. This material made it much easier and less expensive to produce them in large numbers. Cannon usually required a crew of three or four men to effectively fire and reload. Taking a couple of minutes for a trained crew to repeat the firing process. It took a lot of practice and training for a gun crew to be effective. In later guns, a flintlock firing mechanism began to replace the slow burning match and touch hole. This proved to be a safer and more reliable method of fire. It worked by pulling a lanyard to activate the firing mechanism. The main guns were normally placed along the sides of a ship. Battle tactics for attacking another ship were usually a broadside style attack. This required a ship to expose it�s side cannons to the enemy ship, then fire all of these guns repeatedly.
A ships cannon was referred to by the weight of the shot that it fired. The cannon itself usually weighed around two hundred times the weight of the shot it fired. Hence, an 8 pounder cannon weighed some 1600lbs, but fired a 8 pound ball. The weight of gunpowder needed was approximately half the weight of the shot fired. Ship cannon were made in various sizes from small 2 pounders, to large 24 pounder ship wreckers. Shore fortifications often boasted even heavier cannons. The big 32 pounders were commonly used for this. A typical gun size on a pirate sloop or small schooner would be 4 to 8 pounders. They could fire a cannonball over 1,000 yards. But the maximum effective range was more likely 100 to 200 yards. Cannonballs did little damage at long range, and cannon fire was notoriously inaccurate. These guns also wore out relatively quick. Normally becoming unsafe to use after around 500 to 1,000 shots. Since pirates did not normally intend to sink their prey, their guns were usually loaded with a selection of ammunition effective against personnel or rigging and sails.
Moderators: Kuro (played by dantefrancis)