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Halberd
Halberd
Image © Worcester Art Museum, all rights reserved.

Halberd

Datelate 1500s–early 1600s
Mediumsteel and wood
Dimensions248.9 × 68.6 cm (98 × 27 in.), 3 lb, 10 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsObverse of fluke, horizonal "T" over "D" within necked rectangular recess.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.171
DescriptionSteel. Tall quadrangular thrusting spike. Crescentic axe blade with triangularly concave cutting edge, bracket-cut above & below, face pierced with 3 slipped trefoils. Opposed by short pointed fluke similarly pierced with curved lug above. Open socket extending down obverse & reverse of staff in pair of narrow langets. Separate short pair of langets at sides, the 4 held at base of socket by square ring. These are coarser in execution than the rest of the metal components, with a pitted finish that does not match the rest. Head is undecorated.

Wooden rectangular section staff with beveled corners, probably of later date.

There is a pronounced grain in the metal.
ProvenanceArchduke Eugen's Armory, Fortress Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, Austria Purchased by John W. Higgins on March 3, 1927 from Anderson Galleries (NY), their # 691. Given to the Museum on July 1, 1954. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
Side A
Austrian
late 1500s–early 1600s
Head, Side B
Austrian
1637
Halberd
German
1500–1525
Side A
Austrian
late 1500s–early 1600s
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Austrian
about 1600-1625
Side A
Austrian
about 1600–1625
Halberd
Austrian
late 1500s
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
1625–1650
Side A
German
late 1500s–early 1600s