HAMMER HAMMERS

HAMMERS
 
Mounted knights cannot effectively use long pole weapons while on horseback,
and as a result, many weapons have been fitted with shorter shafts so they
may be wielded  with just one hand.  Maces and flails are two previous
examples of this - the war hammer is another. The horseman's war hammer is
the descendent of the Lucerne hammer. It is made entirely of steel, with
rondels protecting and strengthening the grip.  Rondels are small disks of
metal, often shaped into decorative designs. The shaft is about 18 inches
long.