A COLONIAL MADE HALBERD DATING TO THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

A COLONIAL MADE HALBERD DATING TO THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

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$2,950.00

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Item Code: 1298-11

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This extra-ordinarily rare pole arm was actually made in North America perhaps as early as 1720 but more likely around 1750 with continued use well into the American Revolution. The British/American form typically resembled a battle-axe with a wide cross-blade and rear beak under a vertical spear point.  The halberd was a polearm carried by lower-ranking officers in European and American infantry units in the 16th through 18th centuries. By the early 18th-century the halberd, originally a weapon, had become a symbol of rank. It then 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 it could be used as a weapon particularly after a regiment formed square to repel cavalry. In the British and American army, sergeants continued to carry halberds until 1793, when they were replaced by the spontoon which lacked the axe head.

The design of this particular one, the 3-piece screwed together construction, originated in Britain in the 17th century. The spear (top portion) on this example is 12 inches long and at its base is 2 1/4 inches wide. The battle axe is 12 inches long and 7 inches wide at the blade's cutting edge. The beak is 5 inches long and 2 3/4 inches wide and has pierced designs that are highly stylized Fleur-de-Lises and elongated hearts. These designs are repeated on the head portion. BATTLE WEAPONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION by Neumann illustrates a similar one on page 373 as his 25.PPA which is in the Fort Ticonderoga Collection. Below the head and beak combination is a 7-inch-long iron socket into which is inserted a 1 1/2-inch diameter 6 1/2-foot-long wooded haft which appears to be of the 18th century period; this is nailed to the socket. It has a slight warp from great age. The head of this rare halberd has a deep brown age patina. It, like the haft, is covered by old varnish, and its appearance would be greatly enhanced by its removal. This is a great museum quality North American made rarity!  [pe][ph:L]]

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