Ahlspiess ("awl-spear")

Cultureprobably Austrian

Dateabout 1500

Mediumsteel, iron, wood

Dimensions257.3 × 118.6 × 14.7 cm (101 5/16 × 46 11/16 × 5 13/16 in.), 5 lb, 9 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.243

DescriptionHead of steel with long, quadrangular thrusting spike tapering uniformly to pyramidal point. At faceted base of spike is parrying rondel of thin sheet metal. It is octagonal, with tapered, molded base beneath. (It is conceivable that the rondel has been reversed at some point in the past, as the heaviest pitting occurs on the present underside, & the basal treatment here would seem more correct on top face.) Socket is integral with head. It is tubular, welded up one side, & expands to its base. It is transversely pierced on one side near bottom & secured to haft with a large-headed nail.

Circular-section haft is of wood (ash?) & is badly rubbed & insect damaged. Upper part of haft is encircled by separate, spiraled iron strap which is black-painted. While strap is apparently old, it seems to be associated to haft, & has been secured in modern times by cut-off, machine-made wood screws of steel. As noted above, much of the lower part of haft is restored.
ProvenanceDr. Bashford Dean (Riverdale, NY) purchased by the Museum on 26 October 1950 at the Dean sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries (NYC), part of lot 73 (not ill.) Price paid for lot Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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