Jim,
This is the first time I've written. I have been following with interest
the posts regarding the use of archery for multi- generational
thinking that surely someone else would bring this up, but that appears
not to be the case. I'm fairly surprised that no one has yet mentioned
the chu-ko-nu (see:
It is commonly know as the Chinese
Repeating Crossbow and is essentially a semi-automatic crossbow.
It was used extensively in warfare as late as the 1890's against
the firearms of the Japanese to a fair amount of success.
It is legendary for being rugged on the battlefield and so simple
a design, that even someone with limited woodworking skills can put
one together. To make it more deadly, the arrow-points were smeared
with paralyzing poisons. The advantages of a semi-automatic design
should be obvious. In
fifteen seconds, one hundred men with normal bows, or with ordinary
crossbows, were only be able to shoot around two hundred arrows in
fifteen seconds. In the same amount of time, one hundred men with
repeating crossbows were able to get off about a thousand shots.
If I were in a survival situation with all firearms and ammo gone
and
expended, this is the weapon I would want by my side. - Gilgamesh
JWR,
After reading a significant amount of material back and forth on
weapons that have largely been rejected by western culture since
the 1500s. I am curious as to why no one has yet brought up keeping
muzzle loading black powder firearms for this purpose.
It could easily be argued that a set of bullet moulds a bag of extra
flints, and some basic chemistry knowledge [for making black powder
and percussion caps] would carry just as far, if perhaps not farther
in a "multi-generational
scenario".
Theoretically, the ingredients in black powder, if stored properly
have an indefinite shelf life, and are not dangerous until mixed
together in the proper proportions and then processed to meet quality
control.
Knowing how to construct and use a bow is a valid skill, and one
that a great number of people could master with time, trial and error.
However, sword construction is a dying art and largely, one that
could not be mastered in short order by all but those with a great
pedigree in metalsmithing. Anyone competent enough to make a decent
sword, could
probably also produce flintlocks or matchlocks with equal ease.
However, one weapon that seems to be entirely overlooked in this
thread is the Roman gladius. Long swords, katanas and other
swords are meant to be wielded by large armored men on horseback.
The gladius,
when combined with a large shield allows an otherwise unarmored man
to approach his opponent behind the shield and then strike out with
quick thrusting blows. If this were Roman times, the enemy would
likely have to overcome a barrage of pilum (Roman javelins)
first. All things to consider if we suddenly find ourselves enraptured
by another dark age.- AVL
JWR Replies: You are correct in your assertion that muzzleloading
black powder arms would be superior in a long term (multi-generational)
collapse,but only assuming that you can still make gunpowder.
(More skills to learn and some raw materials to acquire. But a valuable
exercise, nonetheless. My personal choice under such circumstances would
be a .54
caliber Kodiak double rifle and a brace of
replica Colt
Model 1860, Remington
Model 1858, or Ruger
Old Army stainless steel black powder
.44 caliber cap and ball revolvers. (My innate contrariness would probably
steer me toward a LeMat revolver/shotgun,
but alas, they are not made in stainless steel.) Note that cartridge conversion
cylinders are made for several of these models, to make them more versatile.
Regardless of what you select for your "just in case" battery of arms, be sure to teach your children how to make archery gear, chain mail, and swords.
