Sponton for identification

junker · 26th December 2009, 01:46 PM

Hello,
my name ist dirk and i am a new member to this forum.
I have a sponton head, which i can not identify.
In my opinion it seem to be nordic (danish or sweden) but i am not shure also with the age.
Dirk

Jim McDougall · 28th December 2009, 07:29 PM

Hi Dirk, and welcome!!
Thank you for posting this spontoon. With these it is always helpful to have other images showing as much of the weapon as possible, and the foot piece as well. Although the staffs of these weapons are often replacements, it is always hopeful that the head and foot are still together.

This appears to be an American spontoon c.1775 (Neumann, "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution" , 1973, p.211, #73.PA). Are there crossbar curls on the lower part of the head?

The spontoon was the weapon of officers used as a means of identification and in signalling the troops.
"...when the spontoon is planted, the regiment halts; when pointed forward, the regiment marches; and when pointed backwards, the regiment retreats".
Quoted in Neumann (p.191) from "Smiths Military Dictionary" (1779).

Very nice

hope this helps,

Best regards,
Jim

junker · 28th December 2009, 08:47 PM

Hello Jim,
thanks for answering.
I got only the spontons head, with no handle/haft.
There are two holes in the piece, maybe for crossbars.
I have no literature of american weapons, only from europe, therfore i cant identify this.
Could you may scan the site of the book, which you named here ?
thanks
Dirk

Jim McDougall · 30th December 2009, 12:12 PM

Hi Dirk,
No problem....I'm working on scanner issues at the moment, but I'll see if I can get that done in the next day or so OK.
Interesting to see Revolutionary War period items like this come up!!

All the best,
Jim

26th December 2009, 01:46 PM	#1
junker Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 140	Sponton for identification Hello, my name ist dirk and i am a new member to this forum. I have a sponton head, which i can not identify. In my opinion it seem to be nordic (danish or sweden) but i am not shure also with the age. Dirk Attached Images

28th December 2009, 08:47 PM	#3
junker Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 140	sponton Hello Jim, thanks for answering. I got only the spontons head, with no handle/haft. There are two holes in the piece, maybe for crossbars. I have no literature of american weapons, only from europe, therfore i cant identify this. Could you may scan the site of the book, which you named here ? thanks Dirk

28th December 2009, 07:29 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,957	Hi Dirk, and welcome!! Thank you for posting this spontoon. With these it is always helpful to have other images showing as much of the weapon as possible, and the foot piece as well. Although the staffs of these weapons are often replacements, it is always hopeful that the head and foot are still together. This appears to be an American spontoon c.1775 (Neumann, "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution" , 1973, p.211, #73.PA). Are there crossbar curls on the lower part of the head? The spontoon was the weapon of officers used as a means of identification and in signalling the troops. "...when the spontoon is planted, the regiment halts; when pointed forward, the regiment marches; and when pointed backwards, the regiment retreats". Quoted in Neumann (p.191) from "Smiths Military Dictionary" (1779). Very nice hope this helps, Best regards, Jim

30th December 2009, 12:12 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,957	Hi Dirk, No problem....I'm working on scanner issues at the moment, but I'll see if I can get that done in the next day or so OK. Interesting to see Revolutionary War period items like this come up!! All the best, Jim