St. Mary's Arm...Ever Heard of It?

[Anthony]

Hello Everyone,

My Arnis instructor e-mailed me to inquire about a weapon known as St. Mary's Arm. It is purportedly a "three bladed weapon."

Is anyone familiar with it?

How is it commonly referred to?

If yes, can you describe it or reference a photo or drawing of one?

- Anthony

 

[Kalindras]

???

Wowwee...!

I like to think I'm pretty well-versed in all things weaponish, even the relatively arcane stuff, but I've never heard of this.

I'll be dead interested to find out from anyone who knows anything about this...

Anyone? Bueller?



I'm wondering what configuration the blades might be in? Something like a scissors katar? Or more like a Madu? Or is this perhaps like one of those extremely weird-looking African throwing knives, that seem to be all points and edges?

Can you instructor expand on it? I mean..."a three bladed weapon," is pretty broad, you have to admit! Heck, I know of Tomahawks that fit that description...as do most SAKs...!



Lemme know. You've piqued me interest.

 

[Anthony]

Hello Everyone,

After doing a little more talking with my instructor it turns out his inquiry was based on someone claiming to be skilled in the use of this weapon. Further after a lot of research into the weapon and the person making the claim I think this claim is bogus.

Anything with "saint" in the name would suggest it came from a Catholic country and being Catholic I sincerely doubt they would have named a weapon after a saint unless it was wielded by that specific saint.

My last source will be a friend of mine from Italy who is the foremost authority on such things in my peer group, but I am about 98% sure this guy is full of crap.

- Anthony

 

[KMKeller]

http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/OA/items/000243.html

This is the only three bladed weapon I can think of.

 

[kannonfyre]

looks intimidating.....

against a katar dagger like that I'd go with a blast of pepper foam to the thug's face followed by a few HARD strikes to the head with a steel baton.

Nope, not heard of St Mary's Arm but i have seen fighting knives with large spikes portruding from the cross guard.