Halberd

Dateearly 1600s

Mediumsteel, wood and iron

Dimensions27.9 × 237.6 × 71.8 cm (11 × 93 9/16 × 28 1/4 in.), 4 lb, 4 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsShaft has five branded stamps of upper-case "FS" in two groups on the sides between the langets. The marks are grouped in rows of two and three, respectively, and two of the group of three appears to have been overstruck.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.124

DescriptionOne-piece head of dark russet iron. Comprised of a long, tapering apical thrusting spike of quadrangular section, becoming circular section at the base which is finished as a spherical knop with narrow bands at the ends. Below this, the spike is rectangular section, developing into a flat socket open on the sides. This is prolonged as a set of flat langets, held at the top by a rectangular iron ring, and secured to the staff with flat-headed nails. The thin axeblade is relatively tall, with a concave cutting edge and low, lobed projections above and below. The blade is pierced with a pair of comma-shaped cuts producing a fleur-de-lis shape in the iron, and above and below are rather triangular heart-shaped piercings. The axeblade is opposed by a thin, downcurving, pointed triangular fluke that is similarly pierced, but with a single heart-shaped opening. The staff is of wood (ash?) and of circular section. There are domed iron rivets at the ends of the langets, with hardened textile fragments beneath, indicating the locations of tassels. The butt of the staff is fitted with a conical shoe having two molded bands.
Label TextThe halberd was originally developed as a weapon against knights. By the time of this piece, it was largely a badge of office for a sergeant of infantry. The chopping axe and piercing beak are no longer designed to be functional: only the thrusting tip is still useful in combat.ProvenanceAn unnamed vendor in Norwich, Norfolk (UK); a private collector (UK); purchased by Walter J. Karcheski, Jr. on 21 September 2000, on behalf of the Museum, from Mr. Robin Dale of Peter Dale Ltd. (London), his no. 7139. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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