BRITISH MILITARY SERGEANT'S HALBERD CONVERTED TO A SPONTOON

BRITISH MILITARY SERGEANT'S HALBERD CONVERTED TO A SPONTOON

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$1,850.00

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Item Code: 1298-09

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The halberd was an axe surmounted by a spear. The spontoon was the spear pointed device or a halberd without the axe.  These polearms were carried by lower-ranking officers and NCOs in European and North American infantry units in the 18th century and beyond. They served principally as an instrument for ensuring that infantrymen in ranks stood correctly aligned with each other and that their muskets were aimed at the correct level. Of course, if pressed these could be used as a weapon particularly after a regiment formed square to repel cavalry. In the British army, sergeants continued to carry halberds until 1793, when they were totally replaced by the spontoon.

This spontoon was in the George C. Neumann collection and appears on page 378 in his book THE BATTLE WEAPONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION it is item 55.PAA. The blade of battle-axe has been cut off as well as its rear beak thus creating a spontoon. The metal surfaces have a dark brown patina with bright highlights; there is moderate pitting overall which is not unsightly but rather presents a pleasing look of great age. The remaining spear head, above where the axe was, is 9 inches long double edged and has a bulbous base. The iron straps running down the wooden shaft are 15 inches long and have 4 rivets holding the head firmly in place. The well-worn haft or shaft is probably ash and is the original to this weapon. It is 4 1/2 feet long and at one time had bulbous base. It has a cracked repair 8 inches below the head that is made steady by large rivets on either side. The overall length of this halberd is 68 inches.  Possibly captured and re-purposed as a spontoon. a pike or a lance this pole arm is worth of a Colonial American collection.   [pe][ph:L]]

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