Halberd or partizana?

[aspalathos]

Hello did someone know what is it, I have it for some tiime . Was it decorative or maybe something for battle.

[fernando]

This sure is not a decorative piece but the real thing, Aspalathos; only that it suffered a lot of damage, starting by the removal of the side straps and apparently some smash of the blade side wings. A pity it is in so bad shape.

[Yvain]

As I mentionned in the other thread, I'm pretty sure it was a fonctionnal item, obviously pre-1850 (due to the structure of the steel), but likely much older, probably found in an excavation.

To me, it kind of looks like an "épieu", or "spear" in english, with its leaf blade, strong midrib, and lugs; not an halberd or a partisan in my opinion though. Epieux were mostly used to hunt but some saw use in combat (as described in Froissart' Chronicles for example). The faceted socket reminds me of some specimens from the XVth century, but it could of course be much later.

[Lansquenet59]

I am thinking of a weapon of war, because there are the pieces of fasteners on the sides for the wooden shaft (the splints as we say in French). Even if they are cut, we imagine their extension. It was a reinforcement to avoid the iron being cut by a heavy blow of horseman's sword ....

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Lansquenet59

... because there are the pieces of fasteners on the sides for the wooden shaft (the splints as we say in French) ....

Also called side straps, as per post #2 .

[Lansquenet59]

I understand better now

[aspalathos]

Gentlemens, thanks for the reply.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Yvain

To me, it kind of looks like an "épieu", or "spear" in english, with its leaf blade, strong midrib, and lugs; not an halberd or a partisan in my opinion though. Epieux were mostly used to hunt but some saw use in combat (as described in Froissart' Chronicles for example). The faceted socket reminds me of some specimens from the XVth century, but it could of course be much later.

Mario Troso, in Le Armi in Asta delle Fanterie Europee 1000-1500 (Pole arms of European infantry) provides a very good classification of such weapons. On page 105 he illustrates several examples, all of which are characterized by dual lateral projections or lugs between the socket and blade, these can be either pointed or with squared ends.

Names for this type of weapon include Spiedo da guerra, Knebelspiese, winged spear, or épieu de guerre.

There are further examples on p 106, two are large examples with perforated triangular wings or lugs., George C Stone, in his Glossary... of Arms and Armor pp 122-23, identifies this type as a "Bohemian ear spoon" It is interesting that the entry for this item follows that for "Boar spear" -- one example of that group, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, has a pair of fixed lugs on the socket as well, which establishes a conceptual link between weapons designed for sport as well as war.

[BUCC_Guy]

Appears to be a late 16th to early 17th c. halberd type often attributed to Austria.

The form is the same, but the rear hook, axe, and langets have been removed.


See here for a very similar example.

http://www.antiqueweaponstore.com/Et...ca.%201600.htm

[CSinTX]

Originally Posted by BUCC_Guy

See here for a very similar example.

Looks like you nailed it!

[fernando]

We could see that aspalathos example was damaged but ... not to such an extreme point.

[Lee]

So, once upon a time long ago, someone may have had an old halberd and wanted a boar spear...

[fernando]

.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Lee

So, once upon a time long ago, someone may have had an old halberd and wanted a boar spear...

Those projecting lugs make it ideal for the purpose of poking piggy and minimizing the danger of him being run clean through and coming up to tusk the hunter. Great suggestion, Lee!

[fernando]

Oh i see, Filipe. Shame on me. I took it that Lee's entry was only to offer a little humor .