Brass knuckles, with roots reaching all the way back to ancient Greece and Rome, have long been one of the most interesting man-made fighting tools. In the modern world, they also are extremely effective for self-defense.

Brass Knuckles of the Past

Over the centuries, brass knuckles have been combined with fighting gloves, knives and even guns. They have proven versatile in a number of situations, from the gladiator arena in ancient Rome to the battlefields of World War I and World War II.

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While “brass knuckles” is the term most used in the United States, it actually is one of many names. They also are called knuckles, knucks, brass knucks and knucklebusters.

The following looks at some of the history around brass knuckles.

Greek And Roman Origins

Most experts believe that brass knuckles evolved from an ancient Roman hand guard or glove called the caestus. Worn on the hand by gladiators during matches, the caestus was made from leather and metal. Romans designed the gloves to inflict more pain with punches, unlike modern boxing gloves used to diminish the effects of a punch.

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The designs varied, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Some were simply straps of leather tied around the palm of the hand, keeping the fingers free. Others had small metal balls on the knuckles, covered with straps of leather. Some even came studded with nails.

Some historians believe the predecessor of the caestus were hand guards worn by Greek fighters that were made of leather thongs.

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American Civil War

By the time of the American Civil War in the 1800s, a variety of materials were used to create hand gloves that acted much like brass knucks. The materials included brass, of course, as well as wood, iron and lead.

The use of knuckles was so prevalent that President Abraham Lincoln’s bodyguards used them. The Ford’s Theater National Historical Site has a pair of the knuckles on display.

Apache Revolver

While innovative, the Apache Revolver probably did little to improve the reputation of brass knuckles. Used primarily by French criminals in the late 19th century, the innovative design combined a revolver with a handle made of brass knuckles.

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However, the design idea carried forward into World War I – although with a knife, not a gun. Some U.S. soldiers were issued the Mark I Trench Knife which combined a seven-inch, double-bladed knife with a brass knuckles handle.

Brass Knuckles of World War II

The trench knives became so popular that many U.S. soldiers were issued similar knives during World War II.

However, British commandos took it even a step further. They used the famous Death’s Head Knife, primarily in the Middle East. The knife combined a six-inch blade with a brass knuckle handle that featured the shape of a skull in its design.

The Law Around Brass Knuckles

In the years since, brass knuckles have been made illegal in many countries. However, in the United States the federal government has generally steered clear of many regulations on brass knuckles, although some local governments and states have banned them.

Brass knuckles have a rich history and have long ago proven to be effective tools for self-defense. Sometimes, just the presence of brass knuckles can end a confrontation in favor of the person wearing them.

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