The Flange Mace from Cold Steel is designed exactly like the kinds of maces that were in use for hundreds of years in China. The mace was used for so long primarily due to it being relatively inexpensive to produce and highly effective against enemies with plate armor. The flanges on the flanged mace were originally designed to concentrate the weight and power of a blow with the mace to one or two ridges. This helped a warrior to more easily transmit force and crush flesh, bone and armor. A hard blow from a mace could stop the heart of an armored opponent or crush his arm so he was incapacitated and move his arm or leg, knee, elbow. The mace was carried by the watch (police of the day), archers, foot soldiers, men at arms and knights.FeaturesSix flange macePerfect for reenactors or period costumes6" in length