Pike
Culture
German
, or
Culture
Austrian
Date1600s
Mediumsteel and wood
Dimensions40 × 328 cm (15 3/4 × 129 1/8 in.), 5 lb, 1 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsHaft butt with red-painted number 242
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.277
DescriptionSteel head of lozenge shape & cross-section, tapering into a long quadrangular spike. Socket is hexagonal at neck of blade, becoming 10-sided & long, flaring to its base. This has pair of long langets that are pointed at ends, & fastened by 4 flattened, later iron nails each. 10' restored staff of rounded square cross-section, slightly warped.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.ProvenanceProbably from Festung Hohenwerfen, collection of H.I.R.H. Archduke Eugene, most likely lot 685 in the 1927 sale, which went to Max Williams. These were given as ex Imperial Arsenal, Vienna. Purchased by John W. Higgins on 7 march 1928, at Anderson Galleries (NYC), lot 790 in Max William's collection sale. Price paid for lot of 8 items: $27.50. Given to the Armory 1 July 1954. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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