Branch thread: Tolkien's military technology

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

"Devices" doesn't necessarily refer to forged weapons, though. It could potentially be a synonym for "arts" or "methods."

True, but G's specific reference to 'weapons' in the next sentence seems to me to leave open the possibility that they were items that could be physically wielded. Even if they were 'arts' such as the blasting fire later used against Helm's Deep, could not the practical knowledge of their uses have been known or taught by the other members of the White Council?