Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Recently purchased in New England, this is a lovely and rare American Revolutionary War Continental Army Officer's Halberd Head. The halberd is a two-handed polearm that saw extensive use from the 13th to 16th centuries. It is a fearsome weapon with an axe blade topped with a spike and mounted on a long shaft. Additionally, it does have a hook on the backside of the axe blade, which was useful for grappling mounted combatants.
As is typical of those used on the Colonial Side, as it is devoid of any of the usual markings that a British issued example would have. It also is definitely a bit more primitive in design, as the Continental Army did not have access to the same materials and craftsman that the British did. While sometimes effective at removing an opposing soldier from his horse, by the 18th century, the halberd pole arm was not so much a weapon as it was a sign of rank used by Officers.
This was a tradition dating back hundreds of years before the introduction of firearms. Its real purpose in combat was to show the soldiers "on the line" where their commander was in all the smoke and confusion. Often standing seven or eight feet tall it was easily identified by the men in that unit.
This example is all original, with the head still mounted on the original pole / haft, which has been cut off just below the langet side straps. The halberd head measures 11 ½" long and 8" wide, making it quite impressive. It is quite substantial in weight, so this was not a display piece, and it does not have the fancy ornamentation often seen on earlier examples. It is one solid piece, continuous with the langets, so it cannot be removed.
Condition overall is very good, with a lovely aged patina on the metal components, showing that they have been well cared for over the past 200+ years. Definitely a solid piece!
Very rare and perfect for display!
Spearhead Dimensions:
Blade Length: 11 ½"
Blade Width: 8"
Langet Length: 14 ¼"
Length of Pole Section: 14 ½"
Overall Length: 28"
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