Evolution Of Trench Warfare

Weapons and Warfare evolved and developed dramatically between 1550-1650. With new technologies came exciting warfare ideas and strategies. This new development started with the gunpowder revolution, especially in Europe in the mid 1400’s. Guns began to develop rapidly and by the early 1600’s flintlock muskets were the standard.

The invention of the musket completely reinvented battles and tactics. With these new lethal and penetrating weapons, it changed the face of combat. Armor during this time became obsolete along with lancers and knights. The only horse unit at this time that proved to be effective were dragoons. Dragoons were musket infantry that would use horses to ride to battle and afterwards disembark from their horses. Along

Pistols were not given to regular soldiers, but to honorable people instead. Pistols would be heavily decorated and the handle could be made out of horn. There were three main types of pistols during this time period. There was the Wheel Lock Pistols (Also known as Puffer Pistols), Axe Pistols, and Long Pistols. Wheel Lock Pistols would have a pocket of air and a wheel that would cause a spark. These pistols were on of the most common and pistols today have similar designs. The next important pistol is The Long Pistol. As the name implies it was longer than a regular pistol but shorter than a musket. These pistols were more accurate but also more rare. The last main type of pistol is the Axe Pistol. Though these pistols were not always in axes, they were often in axes. The most common Axe Pistol was more experimental than efficient. It had 6 barrales with different methods of firing from matches to wheel lock mechanisms. Pistols were a new and evolving idea that would prove very

Swords would continue to develop but were more common for nobles than for infantry. Swords were a must have weapon for hand to hand combat. In 1580, German engineers developed two handed swords. These swords were heavier and stronger than anything before. They were made of steel and could pierce armor. In certain armies or elite units swords were a sidearm. The famous Spanish Rapier wouldn’t come around until 1630. Rapiers would be in service for many years and become very popular, especially in the seas. Swords would stay relevant until the early 1700’s and then go extinct in armies due to plug bayonets in 1680. Pikemen were a type of infantry that would hold an axe that was on a pike. These would prevent direct combat was efficient against charging cavalry. They were good at anti-cavalry but could not compete with swords in close combat. During this time would be the end of the sword age and the start of a new