German Halberd, ca. 1580

Description

Featuring hand-forged iron head with angled deeply concave axe blade pierced with 5 punched round holes; slender downward-curved rear beak with three punched holes and deeply stamped with a cross and orb mark in a shield. This mark is found on many polearms from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and more likely has religious connotations rather than being a maker’s mark. Slender 22 1/2” diamond-section thrusting spike. Shortened integrally forged side straps, mounted on later rectangular-section wood shaft. Metal lightly pitted, showing lamination and a gunmetal gray patina. Length of metal 30 1/4” (77 cm), overall 81 1/4” (206 cm).