The Wolf Tooth Mace: A Brutal Weapon of Ancient China

The Eastern mace, known as the "Shu（殳）," originated during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, as well as the Spring and Autumn period. It was a long, heavy wooden weapon, primarily used in chariot warfare, with ridges but no blade. Later versions featured a bronze or metal head with added spikes to increase lethality. As chariot warfare declined, the "Shu" disappeared from military use.

By the Song dynasty, to counter the heavily armored cavalry of the Liao and Jin dynasties, the Song army, made up mostly of infantry, began using heavy blunt weapons. In addition to bladed weapons, maces—unbladed but designed for striking—became common. The typical mace was about 1.5 meters long, made from hard wood. Some variations included iron-covered versions and those with hooks or spikes for added damage. The "Wolf Tooth Mace" was a version that featured a large head covered in sharp nails.

The "Wolf Tooth Mace" should not be confused with the "Bone Blossom," a lighter one-handed war hammer. The Wolf Tooth Mace, though heavy and requiring both hands, could deliver powerful blows that could pierce heavy armor and cause blunt force injuries. It was mainly used by specialized soldiers, as its weight and design made it less versatile than other weapons. 

In ancient China, the Wolf Tooth Mace was an effective weapon for dealing blunt and piercing damage, especially to unarmored or lightly armored enemies. Strikes would cause deep wounds that were difficult to treat with limited medical knowledge, leading to infections and sometimes death later.

The weapon was simple in design, making it affordable and practical for armies with fewer resources. Its simplicity and effectiveness made it a favorite of nomadic tribes.

By the Song and Jin dynasties, the Wolf Tooth Mace became a standard weapon, with variations including double-headed versions called "Chu Mace." Records suggest elite Jin forces were equipped with these maces, and the weapon continued to be used in the Ming dynasty, with improvements allowing both infantry and cavalry to wield it. By the Qing dynasty, while no longer a standard military issue, the Wolf Tooth Mace remained common in civilian use.