European Halberd, Late 15th/Early 16th C

Description

Unusual example with the form of the head like 15^th C halberds found in the German-speaking countries, but forged in a manner more typical of halberds made in the Americas. The flat thrusting blade located behind the head’s central axis was often found in 15^th Century Germany and Switzerland, and generally not seen elsewhere or after this time. However, those examples were generally forged over a mandrel which formed integral langets for the attachment to a rectangular-section haft. This example is more crudely forged, with integral conical ferrule and attached to a later round-section haft. The flat head features a slanted, slightly convex 7 3/8” axe blade, with a number of simple chiseled star-shaped stampings on both sides. At the rear is a shallow beak, as opposed to the sharp down-curved beaks found on most examples. It is suggested that this halberd is of Spanish Colonial origins, possibly using earlier Germanic examples as inspiration for its shape. Length of metal 26”, overall 92 1/2”. This exact halberd is pictured in TREASURES OF THE CARIBBEAN”, by Rodney Hilton Brown, on page 295, where it is suggested that it is of Spanish Colonial origin. Formerly in the War Museum Collection. Price includes crated shipping within the Contiguous United States, the cost of which has doubled since COVID.