Antique 16th Century Renaissance German or Swiss Landsknecht Halberd

$3,000.00
Quantity available: 1

Antique, early 16th century, Renaissance period time circa 1500-1550 A.D. German or Swiss Landsknecht, halberd with a massive steelhead with a sturdy and long spike blade of diamond-shaped cross-section, A large triangular axe blade with oblique, cutting-edge, and cusped sides, is deeply struck on one side with an armorer's mark in the shape of an eight-pointed star in a shield.
Beak-shaped fluke cusped above and below, and an open socket extended on each side to form two waved or flame-shaped straps (langets) on the wooden shaft of the octagonal section and fastened on each side by four iron pins.

The wooden shaft is slightly bent, as consistent with age. Possibly the pole was cut for transportation reasons.
Below the straps, you can see the cut at an angle and the connection to the other part with small nails.
It is possible that the upper part of the shaft is the same age as the halberd and the lower part is a later addition, but why is the pole bent from age and use?
There is another possibility since the shaft is bent due to use and age, the top and bottom of the shaft are of the same age, and when these two parts have been joined, the lower part of the shaft has been sanded to remove imperfections at the joint of the wood.

MEASUREMENTS:
Total length with a wooden pole: 203 cm (79.9 inches).
The total length of steelhead with languets: 72 cm (21.9 inches).
The length of the steelhead without languets: 41.3 cm (16.3 inches)
Width of the steelhead from the beak-shaped fluke to the upper point of the axe: 24 cm (9.5 inches).

CONDITION:
Good condition for its age. It shows age and uses, well preserved for an antique combat halbert that is over 500 years old.
Iron head with minor slight pitting, wooden pole cut in half and connected by a screw.

REFERENCES: Comparable in form early 16th century halberd with similar armorer mark is in the Polish state collection of the Wawel Royal Castle, Cracow, published in the book: Pole Weapons In the Collection Of the Wawel Royal Castle. By Krzysztof J Czyzewski. Page: 14-15. No.2.Please see the last picture in the listing.

We will provide the buyer with a copy of the page from the mentioned reference together with a certificate of authenticity.

For related early 16th century Halberds, in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art. PLEASE SEE THE LINKS BELOW:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25...

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/32...

https://www.philamuseum.org/collection/object/7145...

https://www.philamuseum.org/collection/object/7146...

Item Details

Reference #:
E960
Quantity
1
Category
Militaria & Weapons
SubCategory
Edged Weapons & Knives
Department
Antiques (approx100yrs)
Year
1500-1550 A.D
Dimensions
(Width x Height X Depth)
x x
Weight
Unknown
Condition
Good
Material
Steel and Wood