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Ball
and chain was the short name for the ball and chain mace. It
consisted of a heavy metal ball, often spiked, attached to a
wooden handle by means of a chain. There are examples of ball
and chain weapons where the wielder simply gripped the chain
itself, not using a handle, but these are the exception rather
than the rule. A form of flail weapon and essentially a version
of the
morningstar is appearance and use, the ball and chain was extremely
effective at getting around an opponents shield, yanking
the shield away, pulling a rider off a mount, or simply smashing
armor. The ball and chain uses the momentum of the swing to
create greater force upon impact with the target. The center
of gravity of the ball and chain weapon is in the ball itself.
Thus, by
winding up a swing before striking, the wielder could sometimes
double, even triple the force of impact with the target. Needless
to say, this weapon was very effective at creating crushing
and stunning blows, even against an armored opponent. Further,
if the
ball was spiked, the force of the blow concentrated at the tip
of the spike was devastatingly effective at piercing through
armor.
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