Forward End of a Pike
Culture
Austrian
, or
Culture
German
Date1600s
Mediumsteel, iron and wood
Dimensions144 × 15 cm (56 11/16 × 5 7/8 in.), 1 lb, 6 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.258
DescriptionHead section of a pike. Steel double edged lozenge shaped blade of hollow ground lozenge section with acute point. Integral tall closed conical socket having pair of long narrow langets pointed at ends; one of langets is broken off at mid length & other is lacking one of its nails. The head is fastened to what may be original wooden staff of circular section which has been greatly shortened at some point (now 5' long).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.ProvenanceBashford Dean collection; purchased by Museum on October 26, 1950 from Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc. (NYC), sale no. 1186. Price of $20 included HAM#s 2882.1-11. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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