Forward End of a Pike

Culture Austrian , or

Culture German

Date1600s

Mediumsteel and wood with brass

Dimensions141.5 cm (55 11/16 in.)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.656

DescriptionSteel lozenge-shaped thrusting blade of hollow groung lozenge section drawn into an acute quadrangular section point. Integral closed conical socket with pair of long langets. The head is attached to wooden staff of octagonal section which while old is probably associated; now shortened to 4.5 ft. On one face between langets is set of brass 8-petalled rosette nails.
Label TextStaff weapons like these helped tip the military scales in favor of infantry. Pikes like these--theoretically 24 feet long, but in practice usually about 16-18 feet--could stop a cavalry charge dead, leaving the troopers as targets for musket fire. These tactics required group discipline and training, and contributed to the professionalization of military life.ProvenanceCollection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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