The mechanical advantage gained by extending your arm was made use of with this weapon. The momentum created would bring the heavy steel ball crashing down with the chain exagerating the effect giving the blow far greater force than if it was simply at the end of a shaft. Early flails were adaptations of agricultural implements used for threshing corn and therefore were regarded as peasant weapons. They normally took the form of a long two-handed shaft topped with a weight and chain. By the 13th Century flails were being specially designed for infantry use. Short handled versions like this one were meant for use on horseback.
