Pike

Culture Swiss , from the Luzern Arsenal

Dateprobably 1600s

Mediumsteel, iron and wood

Dimensions454 cm (178 3/4 in.), 4 lb, 14 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsLuzern burned into the wood with a stamp near the butt.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.271

DescriptionThis shaft is slightly bent. Shaft has double-ended taper, shows marks from hand-shaping. Steel tip has square cross-section beveled to round at the very tip and at the socket. Socket is made by folding over itself; seam line is visible. One langet is clearly welded on; other probably is as well. Metal shows cracking of wrought iron; execution is rough, but credible as munitions-grade work. Head is attached with 6 rivets on each langet, each side offset from the other. 1 smaller pair at top, 5 larger below.
Label TextA pike is a very long version of a spear, used by footsoldiers for both attack and defense. By massing ranks and presenting a bristling forest of pikes to the enemy, square formations of pikemen could withstand determined cavalry attacks, providing protection for musketeers while they were reloading their firearms. In the late 1600s, the development of the socket bayonet, which could be attached to the musket to make it usable as a spear, made the pike obsolete.Provenancefrom Stuart Mowbray on January 8, 2008; ultimate source was Greg Walter (antiqueweaponstore.com). Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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