Man catcher
Encyclopedia
A man catcher is an esoteric type of pole weapon
which was used in Europe as late as the 18th century. It consisted of a pole mounted with a two pronged head. Each prong was semi-circular in shape with a spring-loaded 'door' on the front. This created an effective valve that would allow the ring to pass around a man-sized cylinder and keep it trapped. The man catcher was used primarily to pull a person from horseback and drag them to the ground where they could be helplessly pinned. This is one of the few examples of non-lethal polearms.
Man catchers played a role in the medieval custom of capturing noble opponents for ransom
. The design assumes that the captured person wears armor to protect him against the metal prongs, which could easily hurt the neck of a person without armor. The man catcher was also used to trap and contain violent prisoners.http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/everyday_life/control/1750-1820/TL.0151/
In Papua New Guinea, a different weapon existed that was also identified as a man catcher. It consisted of a hoop attached to a spear - the hoop would be placed over an enemy's head to capture them, and then they could be speared in the back of the neck.http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/txt/s1411700.htm
Similarly, the Japanese sodegarami
, tsukubō
, and sasumata
were used by Edo era law enforcement for apprehending suspects. However, the sasumata was most like a man catcher in usage as its forked head was designed to pin the suspect's neck, legs, arms, or joints against a wall or the ground. While other man catchers are no longer in use, the sasumata currently has modern variants that are semi-flexible, with padding, blunt endpoints, and other slightly modified geometry, designed to significantly reduce the chance of injury to restrained civilians. These variants are designed for use by non-soldiers -- specifically, they are intended for use by a Japanese riot police mounted on horseback. In such a case, the mounted riot police would typically be arranged in formation line abreast, and would use a row of raised sasumata to hold back large crowds. These mounted riot police answer to the National Police Agency (Japan)
. Since the outbreak of serious riot
s is uncommon in Japan, the modern sasumata is only used rarely. Nevertheless, the necessary training is kept up to date.
Pole weapon
A pole weapon or polearm is a close combat weapon in which the main fighting part of the weapon is placed on the end of a long shaft, typically of wood, thereby extending the user's effective range. Spears, glaives, poleaxes, halberds, and bardiches are all varieties of polearms...
which was used in Europe as late as the 18th century. It consisted of a pole mounted with a two pronged head. Each prong was semi-circular in shape with a spring-loaded 'door' on the front. This created an effective valve that would allow the ring to pass around a man-sized cylinder and keep it trapped. The man catcher was used primarily to pull a person from horseback and drag them to the ground where they could be helplessly pinned. This is one of the few examples of non-lethal polearms.
Man catchers played a role in the medieval custom of capturing noble opponents for ransom
Ransom
Ransom is the practice of holding a prisoner or item to extort money or property to secure their release, or it can refer to the sum of money involved.In an early German law, a similar concept was called bad influence...
. The design assumes that the captured person wears armor to protect him against the metal prongs, which could easily hurt the neck of a person without armor. The man catcher was also used to trap and contain violent prisoners.http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/everyday_life/control/1750-1820/TL.0151/
In Papua New Guinea, a different weapon existed that was also identified as a man catcher. It consisted of a hoop attached to a spear - the hoop would be placed over an enemy's head to capture them, and then they could be speared in the back of the neck.http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/txt/s1411700.htm
Similarly, the Japanese sodegarami
Sodegarami
The is a Japanese pole weapon used to entangle sleeves. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with multiple barbed heads, facing forwards and backwards. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp protrusions can often be found along the pole,...
, tsukubō
Tsukubo
The is a Japanese pole weapon. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with a T-shaped head. The head often has various metal spikes and barbs. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp protrusions can often be found along the pole, similar to...
, and sasumata
Sasumata
The is a Japanese mancatcher and firefighting tool. Historically, it was usually around 2 meters in length, with a U-shaped head. This head looks similar to a koto bridge, so it is sometimes called a kotojibō. The pole is often sturdy wood, reinforced with iron. Small spikes or other sharp...
were used by Edo era law enforcement for apprehending suspects. However, the sasumata was most like a man catcher in usage as its forked head was designed to pin the suspect's neck, legs, arms, or joints against a wall or the ground. While other man catchers are no longer in use, the sasumata currently has modern variants that are semi-flexible, with padding, blunt endpoints, and other slightly modified geometry, designed to significantly reduce the chance of injury to restrained civilians. These variants are designed for use by non-soldiers -- specifically, they are intended for use by a Japanese riot police mounted on horseback. In such a case, the mounted riot police would typically be arranged in formation line abreast, and would use a row of raised sasumata to hold back large crowds. These mounted riot police answer to the National Police Agency (Japan)
National Police Agency (Japan)
The is an agency administered by the National Public Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office in the cabinet of Japan, and is the central coordinating agency of the Japanese police system....
. Since the outbreak of serious riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
s is uncommon in Japan, the modern sasumata is only used rarely. Nevertheless, the necessary training is kept up to date.