Vintage Weapons Still in Use Today

Weapons have been an integral part of civilization, a necessary component of life used for a variety of purposes from combat and warfare to hunting and protection. The earliest known weapons were handheld weapons like spears that date back more than half a million years ago. It was the development of metal during the Bronze Age that saw the creation of metal swords around 3300 BCE. And while most early weapons have evolved, some of these vintage weapons still in use today remain unchanged from their original form.

One of the oldest weapons in the world still in use today is the knife, which has evolved to encompass a variety of types, and several, like the ballistic and switchblade, are banned in certain countries like the U.S. Another vintage weapon still in use is the grenade. The modern-day grenade was developed during the 20th century and became common among soldiers during WWII. It was designed to feel like throwing a baseball.

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 the U.S. Naval Institute. For more weapons content, click here to read about the 20 iconic guns every enthusiast knows about.

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 several courses to test your knife skills.

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 in 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 today. As technology has advanced, so has the gun but it's a favorite for various reasons, from its versatility – it can be used for hunting and self-defense – to its affordability and reliability.

Another vintage weapon still in use today is 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, although they are illegal in most U.S. states.

Ever since guns were invented, people have been 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. Bayonets allow hunters to fend off wild animals in the event of a missed shot.

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. Unsurprisingly, it's illegal for the general public to own a grenade at home.

It's not uncommon to come across a martial arts studio where the students know how 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 value of old nunchucks has skyrocketed over the years, as people have gained more of a fascination with ancient Asia, however, their use is banned in some states and countries.

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. It is also a powerful tool for clearing brush, cutting wood, and doing yard work and is likely to remain in use.

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.

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.

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 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. The gun control debate will continue to be a hot topic in the United States. For more weapons content, click here to read about the 10 rarest guns in the world.