It would seem reasonable to assume that swords were capable of breeching mail although tests carried out do not support this. It is possible that against armour the heavy weight of the blade was used to break bones and crush internal organs. Sling Although used primarily for hunting small game the sling could have been used in war. Against an armoured man it would have little effect unless a lucky shot hit his face. Against an unarmoured target at close ranges it could break bones and crack skulls.
Ammunition seems to have been rounded stones gathered from river-beds or the sea shore.
Lead shot of the type used in the Roman period is unknown in Anglo-Saxon times. The main type of body armour in Anglo-Saxon times was mail. The mail of the period was made by cutting thin strips of iron from a piece of sheet, or drawing iron wire through a draw-plate, and winding this around a cylindrical former. It was then cut off with a chisel to form the links. The links would then be compressed so that the ends overlapped.