Weapons Gallery

Self-defense guidance for females 1908

A demonstration of the "gamp" as a useful weapon for female self-defense against hooligans in accordance with changes to the manufacture of umberella sticks, now made out of metal rather than wood which allowed for far greater combative potential. The Sketch suggests a first move of "knocking the hooligan's hat over his eyes" before progressing to the more serious measures of using the umberella as a bayonet and targeting the face or throat. The caption also comments on the increased focus on female self-defense, particularly in America. Date: 1908

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Group photo, Shropshire Volunteer Rifle Corps, 2nd Bttn

Group photo, Shropshire Volunteer Rifle Corps, 2nd Battalion, wearing grey uniform (the first form of camouflage uniform). Presented to Lance-Corporal A Matthews by Major Algernon Heber-Percy, as a memento of winning the shooting competition Trophy for the third time. Back row: Private A Barker, Private H Jones, Private W Huxley, Private H Spencer, Sergeant-Instructor J W Griffiths. Front row: Lance-Sergeant J Price, Lance-Sergeant S Mullard, Sergeant W Dodd (Captain), Lieutenant W M Huntbach, Private A Zumbrunnen, Lance-Corporal A Matthews. Stars under the names indicate the number of times the Volunteer has shot in the winning team. Date: 1891

© Mary Evans / Pharcide

Chinese weapons or implements of war, Qing Dynasty

Chinese weapons or implements of war, Qing Dynasty. Halbert 1, scimitar 2, bows 3,4, quiver 5, crossbow 6, crossbow darts 7, basket of crossbow balls 8, musket 9, iron crook 10, Hand of Justice 11, and lances 12. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Andrea Freschi after Antoine Cardon from Henri-Leonard-Jean-Baptiste Bertin and Jean Baptiste Joseph Breton's China, Its Costumes, Arts, Manufactures, etc., Howlett and Brimmer, London, 1824. Date:

© Florilegius/Mary Evans