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

Halberd

Culture
Dateabout 1620-1650
Mediumiron, steel, wood, brass with textiles
Dimensions240 × 43.2 cm (94 1/2 × 17 in.), 3 lb, 2 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.170
DescriptionIron. Tapering double edged thrusting blade of lozenge section with molded swelling at base & flattened below. Flat fluke carved to resemble bird heads. Small crescentic axe blade similarly fashioned. Conical socket with turned molding above & carved to resemble alternating plain & striped panels. Head deeply engraved & punched. Red tassel at base of socket with octagonal section wooden staff, studded with brass tacks below head & fitted with iron shod butt.

The head is slight and light, especially relative to the overall weapon length.
ProvenanceGift to Higgins Armory Museum from Worcester Art Museum (Worcester, MA) on June 19, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
1625–1650
Side A
Austrian
about 1600–1625
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
1625–1650
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Italian
late 1500s–early 1600s
Side B
Italian
1550–1600
Halberd
French
about 1670–1700
Side A
Italian
about 1600–1625
Side B
Swiss
1600s
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Southern German
early 1600s