Were weapons created on earth by an ancient civilization.
Were technological weapons of alien origin, presumably made by Zordon.
Had two modes: an unpowered form primarily used when the Rangers weren't transformed and a powered form that appeared when the Rangers transform.
Only had one form as the rangers do not use them outside their morphed forms. The unpowered versions appear in the hands of the Mutant Rangers, which were American exclusive villains.
The Rangers had to undertake a difficult quest on the Continent of Despair to find the weapons.
The Rangers just recieved the weapons from Zordon in the command center.
The weapons were shown to be alive as they responded to the Zyurangers on some occasions.