In a wartime battle, when one side overruns the other's position, what happens to the weapons of the dead?

Question

Do you know what I mean? Do the losers take them all with as they run? Do the victors stop to collect them? Are they left behind? Some of all of these? Thanks for your input,

Answer 1

Each specific battle is going to be different from one situation to the next. Historically all the examples you gave have happened. If the "losers" are able to make a retreat then they will normally take what equipment they can with them. Small arms such as pistols and rifles would not be much of a burden to escape with, or in older times, a sword or bow. A canon, catapult, or machine gun emplacement would not be quite so easy to move on short notice when trying to escape on overrun position. If the "victors" are taking over the position and remain there, the left behind equipment now becomes there own. If this position is not the actual objective of the battle then typically they will not stop to retrieve fallen equipment to take with them but will press on.

Answer 2

The right thing to do is collect them all. No need for others to find or the enemy to re-arm themselves. Confiscate and lock them up. You can have them back when you've been a good boy.

Answer 3

I think they are collected along with the dead...
then as the dead are buried...they may be melted down and turned into something else...or they may be sold on the illegal arms market

Answer 4

They search the dead for valuables and such, and either keep them or sell them.

Answer 5

I think the "winners" stop and get them. When in war, you can never have enough bullets.

Answer 6

They will collect them and use them against their enemy.