Woodsheal, thanks for the pics. That clears it up nicely and it makes perfect sense to me now.

About the only weapon I can think of that didn't originally have some form of utilitarian purpose is the gun...
Depends on what you mean by "utilitarian purpose". Firearms have always been (and still are) used primarily for hunting, defense against wild critters, and the like. Especially long guns - muskets, rifles, shotguns/fowling pieces - and pistols being a more convenient way to carry the tool. They have, of course, from the very start served double duty as weapons against other men (both offensive and defensive), but that doesn't mean that firearms didn't have a utilitarian purpose. Whether the absolute first gun was built as a hunting tool or a weapon against men, no one knows. But I think it's fair to say that guns carried by non-military people have always been considered tools as well as weapons. And likely used more in the role of tools than weapons.