What Kind of Damage Can a Medieval War Hammer Do?

A contemporary weapons expert is about to test a medieval war hammer on a steel breastplate from that era. The aim is to find out how much damage this fearsome instrument of death could deal.
From the Series: World of Weapons: Close Combat bitly.com/38K0PEo

[@craigpattenden]

“Gods I was strong then”

[@BangablePussc]

i thought i was the only one who thought that

[@diagonalelbow887]

Must’ve shattered every rib he had

[@gerardjagroo]

That poor fool Rhaegar never stood a chance.

[@Scum8ag]

Caved in theough his breastplate!

[@sgtmac46]

Caved in his breastplate.

[@noahjones9833]

"Such blows can break a man's neck, possibly leave him stunned or worse." Ah yes humans are indeed often stunned by having their necks broken

[@user-ul5ss2ru5w]

It is truly stunning if you think about it

[@harpicep888]

Just thinking about it make me stunned

[@GiskardRevenlov]

I know plenty of guys in BUHURT who have broken their necks and been (relatively) fine. No loss of life or feeling, just permanent neck pain

[@SuperSky9]

@noahjones9833 The sentence means "Such blows can possibly leave him stunned OR break a man's neck OR worse."

[@wbbartlett]

That may well be what he meant to say, although we can only make an assumption there because it is absolutely not what he actually said. @@SuperSky9

[@ToddHoff]

Maybe I've been spoiled by mythbusters, but shouldn't you put some sort of simulated brain or sensor inside the helmet to characterize the force?

[@kingofchivalry5509]

I agree big cantaloupe

[@beckyyoung2173]

coconut is close the the strength of a skull... and the fruit inside would show damage maybe?

[@atfeldman123]

R Lee Ermey would have recommended watermelon

[@Someone-cd7yi]

let's use a death row inmate

[@xxxxxx5868]

Do you see that dent on the helmet?

[@hrprreview9046]

So this is what Robert Baratheon's fighting style actually look like.

[@mr.bluefox3511]

Well, not accurately. Cause Robert warhammer was a large, two handle, and unnecessary heavier than the ... normal one in the video. The hammer was so heavy that only a big man like Robert ( at the time he won "the Battle of the Trident" ) can used it in individual Duel, and in the Battlefield.

[@architius]

Robert's Warhammer was a much larger two-hander, but he was so strong he could wield it as easily as a normal person would handle a one-handed warhammer.

[@GAndreC]

It was pretty big the break your arm through the shield or ribs through armor kind

[@RockyTheEater]

@@mr.bluefox3511 but god he was strong back then

[@RockyTheEater]

@Junjun but god he was strong back then

[@catbus1096]

What kind of damage can a medieval war hammer do? My brain: probably a lot

[@ennui9745]

Probably a lot of damage to your brain too ;)

[@gonzalosanchezblanco6598]

Your heart,lungs,belly or even joints

[@AzngameFreak03]

In football we had helmet straps that would clip on with metal on the ends. These straps were long enough to hit other helmets. The metal was only a few inches long, but it was enough to make the loudest of sounds vibrating through the helmet. We would dread when it happened. Imagine the sound metal on metal at full force from the warhammer to the helmet. That sound alone could send a man shaken, rattled, and discombobulated.

[@MK_ULTRA420]

Full physical recovery: 6 weeks Full psychological recovery: 6 months

[@AzngameFreak03]

Even more crazy is, we'd do it for fun! We'd hit each others helmets with these metal straps. It would be the equivalent to tapping someone in the balls(not pain wise, but out of teenage boy humor). But the sound, it was no joke.

[@Bauernwher]

@@MK_ULTRA420 6 months* 6 years*

[@MK_ULTRA420]

@@Bauernwher no

[@Bauernwher]

@@MK_ULTRA420 it's a joke

[@megathicc6367]

That test doesn't show the balance of the human body. When someone gets hit with a hammer they will go back and not stay in place like a piece of wood

[@GAndreC]

That’s why a hit like that is more likely to break your neck than shatter your skull

[@lasttimeitakeshowerwas8618]

@@GAndreC ikr.

[@dragoncrown2029]

@@GAndreC which is just as bad of course , the knight will die either way

[@tincanmaniac1931]

Not if it's hit from the top, like I'm this demonstration. It would crumple the wearer and destroy his neck.

[@gonzalosanchezblanco6598]

Did anyone wonder the horrible damage it may cause a full impact in the middle of the chest ?

[@APAstronaut333]

I was expecting more self defense from the lifeless armor, really

[@aronnemcsik]

Well It seemsed to me that armor skipped the self defense classes...

[@joshuasim8019]

Question: "What Kind of Damage Can a Medieval War Hammer Do?" Answer: "A LOT."

[@PeregrinTintenfish]

hmm, not really an anwser.

[@ethanpetrea6164]

"it can break his neck... or worse"

[@crispinjulius5032]

There are some things worse than a broken neck like getting hit with this on a medieval battlefield and waking up in 2021.

[@skyknight1281]

Could be struck in the groin with a war hammer. I would say that is worse.

[@randygreen8916]

It's still a formidable weapon today.

[@scottouellette9411]

Still prefer my assorted magnums.

[@nonna_sof5889]

They actually briefly came back into use as one of a myriad of melee weapons used for trench raiding during WW 1. Though circular designs were more common since they're easier to make on the front.

[@podsmpsg1]

Absolutely.

[@BlackChad792]

If I remember correctly in WW1 they were called "trench clubs", and were more similar to a medieval mace than a warhammer. Though maces and warhammers are pretty similar themselves

[@starsixtyseven195]

The pistol wins because of quick draw and distance but 1 shot doesnt always work and you never know when the attack starts

[@bobbycollings6964]

It's official, I'd rather just be shot then go through the horror of medieval warfare

[@Hmongboi228]

I agree. Just imagine surviving multiple blows to the body and or skull and surviving. It would DEFINITELY have ever lasting after effects where you would most likely be discarded by your family (due to your needs and or mental change) and society. Just left to die out in public or in the wilderness. Same with being hit with a mace or flail or cleaved by a sword/ax and then the infection afterwards. I'd just rather opt for the "courteous" option of being shot by today's standards.

[@dragoncrown2029]

@@Hmongboi228 ikr , imagine the headaches you would have after being hit with that war hammer , very scary weapon indeed 😳

[@GamelessOne]

@@Hmongboi228 I hope nobody tells you about wounding tactics of modern warfare. The ideal is incapacitating enemies and making them bleed out, rather than killing outright, because one screaming, dying man needs medical attention and could possibly hold up 2-3 other combatants while they are giving medical attention or evacuating. Oops, I told you...

[@gonzalosanchezblanco6598]

Me too,put be a bullet to my head or heart and game over quickly that being bashed with a war hammer or a mace

[@gonzalosanchezblanco6598]

@@dragoncrown2029 And most people complaining about hangovers headeachs

[@gl7244]

I imagine the horse's speed adds to the impact but what about chaotic battles? If the horse was surrounded, the height difference to the foot soldiers would make for a great game of wack-a-mole

[@atheistsgranddaddy5653]

Nah, if a guy is robust, all it takes is one or 2 headblows And the enemy is knocked out easily

[@lewishladun241]

Didn’t even use the speed of the horse to add force. Just straight down. What a joke

[@samwalker4761]

Speed would no doubt add to the damage done, especially if the strike was delivered using the spike attached to the hammer shown. Though even at a slow pace or just atop the horse at a stop I think the advantage of height would allow strikes with more momentum, as a mounted warrior would have space above their head and around them to swing before crashing down upon their unfortunate victim. I daresay even on foot these would be a frightening piece of kit to come up against, as several reenactors/combat sportsmen have pointed out even a wooden training weapon against padding is enough to stun someone. TL;DR Aye the medieval whack-a-mole certainly seems plausible

[@sujaysannyamath655]

Robert Baratheon would be proud

[@robinsonnguyen2137]

You really gotta admit, that was a solid hit.

[@lewishladun241]

No? Why wouldn’t you swing sideways so you use the speed of the horse to add power? Why even be on a horse at all if you’re just swinging directly down

[@elchupacabra1406]

@@lewishladun241 The extra height given by the horse does allow for a better downward strike, but their would be no need to be moving forward for that

[@efs83dws]

I could have done that. I was expecting some scientific quantification of the impact. Instead, “ there is a dent.”

[@texasbeast239]

Yeah, it's especially disappointing since this vid was done by the Smithsonian. One would expect them to be more precise and specific than, "Whoah, lookit! Gnarly, dude!" 🙄

[@asdfjkli]

@@texasbeast239 From the format, editing, and the disregard for scientific inquiry, I don't really see much difference between this and Ice Road Truckers!

[@CATGPlbCapacityPneumaticTireFo]

Along with some inaccurate information here, such as "the warhammer was developed specifically to defeat plate armor" (or something along those lines) when it showed up many centuries before plate armor was common.

[@wbbartlett]

It's american, they go for thrills and spills. not facts and knowledge.

[@colmhain]

Well, if they didn't work, they wouldn't have used them.

[@samwalker4761]

I think that's usually far stronger evidence of something's effectiveness than any modern experiment can prove. No test, however convincing, would compare to a real battle. If it was used consistently, it probably worked wonders.

[@Jayvee4635]

Plate armor: Resistant to slashing damage, weak to bludgeoning damage

[@darkmattergamesofficial]

Impervious to slashing... Resistant to bludgeoning... Keep in mind there would be padding and potentially mail underneath the plate too. Only strikes to the head would could cause real damage by way of the sheer impact/concussive force. Plate armor is also designed to glance off blows

[@lim7646]

Witcher 3 reference

[@CATGPlbCapacityPneumaticTireFo]

@@darkmattergamesofficial Keeping in mind aswell that plate, long with being impervious to cutting, is the number one best defence against blunt force damage aswell. The padded undergarments would not protect as much as the plate did in that regard either.

[@darkmattergamesofficial]

@@CATGPlbCapacityPneumaticTireFo Yep, exactly. Imagine being struck with a hammer while wearing only a padded garment and mail. It could easily break bones and crush muscle. The plate disperses the impact and the padding cushions it. That's why I said the only exception is the head... where brain damage is the main problem.

[@darklanov]

Impervious to cuts and thrusts.

[@notthatgerry]

"I am the Warhammer" said the Emperor calmly.

[@jessestanley1690]

They didn’t even use the more effective side

[@G1NZOU]

If you guys are wondering where this place is, it's near Nykøbing Falster, it's a city not a village like the narrator says. It's called The Middle Ages Center (Middelaldercentret), and located in Sundby, Denmark.

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

Thanks, I have a Medieval war coming up soon, and I needed this.

[@andreweden9405]

What we would call the "one percent" were the only ones who could afford full plate armor. We're talking about the Late Middle Ages here(1300-1500). Many people incorrectly assume that impact weapons such as maces and war hammers were "peasant weapons". However, it turns out that quite the opposite was true. If you possessed a war hammer like that, people would know you were rich, and that you were prepared to fight other wealthy men. Maces and war hammers are specifically armor-defeating weapons, and they were designed for men who could afford armor, and would be fighting armored opponents. They were actually status symbols for the wealthy.

[@Hibernicus1968]

During the late middle ages, there were lots of soldiers -- common men at arms -- with quite extensive armor. True, only the knights could afford a full suit of plate, but men at arms wore extensive "munitions grade" armor nonetheless. These might include full or nearly full leg and arm defenses, brigandines to cover the torso, but sometimes proper breastplates too, etc. This wasn't made as well, as tailored to the wearer, or of as high a quality of steel as the best armor the knights could afford, but it was still a lot better than what most ordindary soldiers had had to go into battle with for centuries prior to this, and it gave good protection.

[@TheOldBlackShuckyDog]

Yeah but maces were very easy to make/cheap to produce weapons which your average soldier probably would have access to. Obviously not the elaborate flanged ones you sometimes see, but basic bits of hard metal on the end of a stick is something used back in ancient times, let alone the medieval era. Warhammers less so tbf, as they definitely required more skill to make, and so would probably cost more

[@winterroadspokenword4681]

However a hammer is just as effective no matter how much armour you have. In close combat they are a supremely efficient weapon.

[@kubaGR8]

@@winterroadspokenword4681 It is important to note that, as displayed in this video, maces and warhammers were primarily used from horseback. We actually do not have evidence that they were used by footmen in any significant capacity.

[@BytebroUK]

That was a fairly light-weight description, but not bad. Look forward to further investigation of this. That is a very impressive weapon/tool, in its place.

[@thomasheaney1693]

I'm surprised they didn't mention the jacket they fitted, it looked like a gambeson, and those we're historically very good at absorbing forceful blows. It's essentially a very densely packed padded jacket, and they had hoods like that too. I'm sure the blows would still be damaging, but the jacket surely would help

[@kubaGR8]

They didn't mention the jacket because full-thickness gambesons typically were not worn underneath plate armour. They'd wear much thinner gambesons that were more like clothing than extra protection. Two layers thick at most. Steel plate already disperses the force of blows really well, there is no need for extra padding.

[@RudeBoi2971]

Cant believe people used to get hit by this in their heads 😩

[@jeremyrobs3643]

To be fair, they were only hit once.

[@matthewzito6130]

I don't think anyone planned on blocking with their helmet.

[@grimarasikan8149]

Cant believe people used to get hit by hot oil on their heads

[@IlGonfaloniere]

@@grimarasikan8149 Oil only very, very rarely, if ever, because it was expensive. Mostly boiling water or hot sand.

[@AmazingNatureRelaxation]

Very cool stuff. Love this living history stuff, and with two kids into D & D, this is especially interesting. I'm surprised they didn't mention the damage done by the impact waves through soft tissues.-Henry

[@benvasilinda9729]

Must have been a tight budget or crammed for time for this experiment.

[@CATGPlbCapacityPneumaticTireFo]

I have a problem with the line "the warhammer was developed specifically to defeat plate armor" that's just not true. The warhammer has been seen long before plate armor was anywhere near common, back when many people would even go to war with nothing but their shield to protect them.

[@PeregrinTintenfish]

interesting, I would like to know more about that.

[@tumbleweed6658]

I did Kumdo in Korea for a while and even-in full sparing gear getting hit by a training sword in the head the impact was a stunning reality check for me. Now getting hit with a war hammer would be a Significantly emotional event to say the least.

[@danielquintana1353]

a samurai with full yoroi armor and better eye vision, and a kanabo/tetsubo could disarm a knight, (due to the great weight of the weapon), hit him on the knees and head and thus leaving him out of action, later, blind him with a dagger and/or cutting his neck. Or just pierce with Tsuruhashi warhammer.

[@starsixtyseven195]

​@@danielquintana1353there is no great weight to the weapon its heavier given because it has to be you cant get something for nothing,. Oyaroi armor is literally the heaviest in history

[@danielquintana1353]

@@starsixtyseven195 there was a tendency to use hardened leather yorois, could combine that with (frontal) metal parts, could weight 16kilos or less btw i dont understand you english its broken sorry

[@pencilbender]

if someone can catch that hammer and move as little as that piece of wood did, i reckon their skull is of a stronger material than their helmet.

[@jakeen229]

I had a Gotrek and Felix joke in here but forgot it lol

[@F15ElectricEagle]

If a l knight wearing plate armor was a medieval tank, then the war hammer was the medieval anti-tank cannon firing a HESH shell.

[@nathanielkidd2840]

So what would a pole hammer be? An A10 Warthog?

[@Raycheetah]

"Squash head?" How apropos! =^[.]^=

[@liamschraer7512]

“Now that’s a lot of damage!” -Flex Seal Guy

[@luislugo1289]

And this is the reason why the mandalorian would be dead after being beated by the Dark Trooper in the helmet.

[@prenomnom5304]

Do you really need experts to get to this conclusion?

[@GAndreC]

The experts are because they are more likely to treat the weapon with the respect it deserves and less likely to injure themselves or others while using it. Aka someone weak might let go after it lands or some other type of shenanigans

[@capncrunch5729]

The Devil Of The Trident

[@Selanium]

A lot. Having used them myself and doing period re-enactments. They are a must in a zombie apocalypse 👍

[@user-mg9fe3ph3y]

How about using the pointy end of the warhammer?

[@ReverenXero]

woohoo finally! I have been looking for this video.

[@Key-jc8kw]

Knight: we are here to collect taxes for our majesty Peasant: stop.. hammer time.

[@714w8]

Whenever you decide to complain about a hangover headache or a cut on your leg, remember that there were people who got hit by war hammers, or got stabbed by a sword and had to continue fighting.

[@Twerkulies]

Imagine back in these times where everyone was superstitious of everything, and you're a new guy issued some plate armor with multiple dents in it, and you don't want to wear it because its cursed, because many have died wearing it.

[@MewmiNya]

1:18 the ultimate BONK

[@Dxco31]

not even steel helmet can protect against the war hammer, but eren yeager does

[@BeastlyNerd]

Bruh...🤣

[@dulzkyriveratovitch256]

My favorite weapon in "Kingdomcome Deliverance" against heavy armored units. The secret to it is always aiming for the head then do a combo. If it's just un armored bandits I use a sword

[@Baddawg_313]

Everybody gansta, until the enemy pulls out a War Hammer

[@ZA-mb5di]

I want one of these so bad. I already have three swords, a spear, and a mace

[@yajeer9685]

When you're a builder but your lord has demanded your service in the war to come.

[@JJefArt]

I'd like to own a medieval war hammer

[@elasolezito]

I want a poleaxe.

[@apep7188]

Whoever brought a hammer onto the battlefield.. Probably didn't survive the battle.

[@pegjames188]

Where did they find my old slate hammer?

[@jameselders2228]

You should watch the video that Jason Kingsley from "Modern History TV" posted about the warhammer !

[@nicholasdsteil]

The done button connected to a stick.

[@l.raphaelnery7299]

And even without armour having heavy metal coming at you with force would still leave you stunned or worse

[@cornellwaters9089]

🔨 Thank You!

[@NapoleonBonaparde]

The spike is there for a reason old man

[@Scarletraven87]

"A LOTTA" type of damage

[@anduinlothar4003]

Well thats a lot of damage!

[@mba2ceo]

war hammer needs a 18" metal collar over handle, hand guard & 6" spike on top

[@EGarrett01]

I just put a book on my head then punched the book. I now understand.

[@RandomUser_online]

BONK. no gambisson is gonna save you from that

[@aclusterofgoats6909]

The metal *clank* sound sent me

[@aclusterofgoats6909]

*BONK*

[@kcsoviet8968]

The ultimate bonk

[@snbforever]

The terminal kind 💀

[@SuperSky9]

That was a bullet wound to the helmet LOL!

[@timothyhouse1622]

Now to read the comments from the internet historians and experts.

[@aegonthedragon7303]

Rhaegar Targaryen disliked this video.

[@nowherefool5869]

it would have been so awesome if they used a tool to measure the exact force of impact. (ie : like what they use on football players to determine force of impact from a tackle)

[@carmeloehijos]

Now that's a lot damage!

[@Kobanyai_enjoyer]

KCD player alteady know its the best weapon.

[@CheemskoGiondau]

Imagine you and your friends armed with these things was order to put down a peasant rebellion . Hitting a peasant armed with a stick in the face with this war hammer with all of your strength while charging with a battle horse , His face probably gets smashes , 1 strike and 0% survival chance because the head has been smashes 😮😮😮

[@lvlc6023]

In the late medieval times. They create such good armors, especially in North Italy.

[@joesmama4199]

I wanted em to show the spike too

[@guidoferri8683]

That's like the opposite of a dimple

[@GryphonBrokewing]

Adding in the momentum of the horse, too. Nice if you can get it. Wonder what gauge steel they're using and how it compares to mercenary vs. knight's armor.

[@feeberizer]

Answer: a lot! Ow....

[@d53101]

He showed us what the blunt bit does. What about the pointy bit?

[@viktor3869]

It stabs

[@dragoncrown2029]

the pointy end can do deadly stab damage , it can puncture all the way in to a knights heart , killing him instantly , the war hammer is a scary weapon , i'm glad i don't live in medieval times 😳

[@gelationousskin835]

@@dragoncrown2029 What? A war hammer could pierce a breastplate, but than you have to go through gambeson and potentially chanimail. I think what you mean is that blunt damage could hurt the knight.

[@ivebeenironed3times737]

@@gelationousskin835 Even piercing the breastplate is a bit of a stretch, especially if the armour is of good quality.

[@gelationousskin835]

@@ivebeenironed3times737 yeah, your best bet against a knight frankly is just ten men holding him down and one stabbing him in the groin.

[@stevendern2543]

Just ask Charles Martel.

[@ryannguyen7466]

Hammertime

[@user-xg8yy7yl1d]

The early-mid medieval era was like Romes post apocalypse

[@hollundergiersch8691]

😂😂😂 it was Romes post-apocalypse

[@anthonyvillanueva5226]

Joaquin didn't have to dress up like a knight, but he did

[@jyoder1]

Probably the 3rd best melee weapon to learn in modern day behind a knife and a club.

[@jmc0075]

And then headache tablets were invented.

[@gbresaleking]

I got my warhammer at a yard sale and I love it

[@Fukei_Mono]

Bonketh. Proceed to the Lascivious Dungeon.

[@slavic_slav1320]

My favorite weapon in Warband

[@user-ss3sm4cc4x]

very interesting.

[@avoonis]

It would have been interesting to learn how much force did the armour absorb and how much of it hit directly the wearer.

[@DanBlabbers]

I would guess a lot of force because swords and arrows would deflect off, the war hammer is going to vibrate though without a lot of padding.

[@mangamango1340]

Coolest name I've heard in a long time Mike Loads

[@AsmirkoDen]

The first medieval tank

[@taalaibekovg2446]

Ok, that was random recommendation

[@suzettehenderson9278]

So how many head blows before chronic traumatic encephalopathy?

[@jakubwejnert4782]

It was well struck.

[@shivamthiagarajan6199]

Was hoping for more comments on Robert Baratheon. Honestly, he got me into warhammers.

[@jacksparrow-qs8hy]

what about the other side of that hammer

[@lim7646]

The hammer gonna pierce through the helmet killing the wearer

[@sonicknuckleswomble8927]

@@lim7646Not necessarily, Medieval knight's plate armour was angled and curved to deflect blows, unless you're dead on, the spike could slide off with very little energy tranferred, that's why the hammer head is shaped the way it is, to grip and ensure the full delivery of force.

[@matthewzito6130]

I've heard it said that the back spike was more for use against mail armor or possibly a brigandine. ..... Also, you wouldn't want to get your weapon stuck when you're on horseback.

[@neil03051957]

Under all plate armour shock absorbing cotton layers were worn, this gave a spongy effect, similar to the arrow (bodkin) where the arrow would be trapped by the fibres.

[@CATGPlbCapacityPneumaticTireFo]

Under plate armor, thin oftentimes completely unquilted garments were worn. Thick padding would have been unnecessary, restrictive, and very hot and stuffy. Not to mention, linen was preferable as it breathes better. Your main protection would come from the dissipation of the shock throughout a large solid plate.

[@nokomarie1963]

Hey, I've got one of those!

[@why3011]

Roran used to go crazy with a hammer

[@wolfattacker1]

The flex tape kind.