Sand as a weapon

**corndog-44** · 01-29-2008, 03:18 AM

If you have nothing but sand around you, you can still use it for hunting or to defend yourself: heated to a sufficient degree, sand becomes vitrified. In essence, it melts, and anything hot can become an exotic weapon if used properly

In ancient times, and particularly in coastal cities that often had to resist under siege the harassment of all sorts of invaders, sand was indeed used as a survival weapon. Sidon and Tyre in Lebanon are prime examples of this: the Assyrians and Babylonians often attacked these towns. The Sidonians and Tyreans used to toss by different means melted or very hot sand over the invaders over the top of their fortifications.

**Rick** · 01-29-2008, 07:59 AM

You are right on the money, corndog. They would often dump large kettles of hot sand on the troops at the base of the fortress. The sand would, of course, slide down their armor at the base of their neck and other entry points. While they were busy stripping out of their armor to get the hot sand off of them, the archers would pick them off like flies. Alexander's army faced this same problem in his siege on Tyre.

Another possible weapon is fulgarite. Glass made from lightening striking sand. It's not that uncommon an occurrence. Those of you that live in Gulf Coast states, particularly Floridia, are probably all too familiar with this. While a lot of the glass produced is of fragile quality, some of it is large enough to be knapped.

**Assassin Pilot** · 01-29-2008, 09:29 AM

I hear they also used oil, but since that was more expensive sand was preferred. You could also put the hot sand into a sack (loosely tied) and throw that w/ a sling/catapult. It would open up in midair and send sand into the armor of enemy troops even farther away (works for the defender and the attacker)

**trax** · 01-29-2008, 01:20 PM

well duh! How about every fist fight in almost every old western movie, the bad guy throws sand in the good guy's eyes to blind him because he's nasty and can't fight fair...yeeesh!

**Beo** · 01-29-2008, 01:32 PM

Yeah, cowboys! That Black Bart was one mean booger! And if it gets in your underpants........ forget it brother, chapped and raw azz all the way

**Rick** · 01-29-2008, 01:34 PM

Canadian cowboy shows? What would the Duke say?

"I'm not gonna hit you, Pilgrim, eh? I'm not gonna hit you, eh? Like hell I'm not, eh?

**Ole WV Coot** · 01-30-2008, 12:02 AM

Any of you tough guys ever put sand in a sock? Nice homemade sap.

**trax** · 01-30-2008, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Ole WV Coot

Any of you tough guys ever put sand in a sock? Nice homemade sap.

couple of Canadian cowboys ganged up on the Duke with those...

I also left out the obvioius use of sand in self-defense, if there's enough there watch how fast I can bury myself alive if any tough guys like Ole WV Coot come after me,

**Assassin Pilot** · 01-30-2008, 04:45 PM

Well I think a rock in a sock is better, it can cut you up pretty bad and leave a dent

**Rick** · 01-30-2008, 05:05 PM

Nope. sand is good stuff. Obviously, you've never heard of pounding sand up......the sand box.

**Beo** · 01-30-2008, 06:36 PM

I've heard go "pound Salt" though.

**Assassin Pilot** · 01-30-2008, 08:16 PM

Rick, I will take a sock with a rock in it, and you will take a sock with sand in it. Only using the socks, we will fight to the death w/ them. Winner.... well wins.

**Rick** · 01-30-2008, 08:17 PM

Wait a minute. Are these smelly socks? I don't do smelly socks. Clean socks, okay.

**canid** · 01-30-2008, 09:12 PM

but the dirty ones pack more of a uhm... punch.

**tracks** · 01-30-2008, 10:30 PM

Had a guy attack me with a pair of panty hose with snuff in them and a fillet knife once, I'll be the first to tell you mace has nothing on railroad mills snuff,can't breath or see and burns bad in cuts.