Description
Forged steel in the English manner, with the axe blade a separate piece which passes through a slot in the spike and secured by screws. Broad 14 1/2″ long leaf-shaped thrusting blade with turned baluster base. Axe blade of large proportions with deeply concave edge, pierced with birds heads and crosses. Conical ferrule, made without langets, no shaft. Uncleaned original condition with light rust patina. Length of metal 27 1/4″. Large and impressive piece. These halberds were carried by the Alabarderos de la Guardia del Virrey, who guarded the Spanish colonial governor in the Philippines. A number of these were brought back as war trophies after the Spanish-American War and examples reside in the Fort Ligonier Museum, the President Rutherford Hayes Center, and reputedly in the Smithsonian. We had another of these several years ago with original shaft and base shoe which sold for $1995. Another sold at Bonhams in 2013 for $2340, including premium.
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