Unusual North Italian Halberd, ca. 1600

Description

Deep crescent-shaped axe blade with recurved cusped tips and an open circle in the middle; the rear of the same shape, but smaller. Diamond-section 14″ thrusting blade. Separate side straps pinned to the head with additional separate straps at the front and rear, bound together with an iron band (zwinge). Mounted on its original octagonal hardwood shaft (wormed and shortened). Head shows lamination and forging flaws with an old expert pinned repair. Metal pitted and age stained. Length of metal 37″, overall 67″. An unusual halberd with no cutting edge, but with numerous hooks to unseat a horseman by grabbing the reins and a thrusting spike to dispatch him.