pikes for identification

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by adrian

Just a thought, but they do look like they may have been made as musket rests as primary purpose & a "pike" as secondary use - musket rests were of a time before bayonets became common.
Adrian

Musket rests, which were in use from the early 16th to the mid-17th c., normally had scrolled upper finials to avoid harm. There were some early types though to feature one spiked end which served as a thrusting weapon.

Attached please find samples of 16th to 17th c. musket rests from my collection, and a piece of period artwork from the inventories of the armories of King Maximilian I, ca. 1507.


Best,
m