Europe, 17th to 18th century CE. This is a pike, with an iron blade and a long wooden handle. The shaft is socketed, and reinforced with metal strips (langets). Pikes are one of the most basic weapons in the history of human warfare, essentially just a spear with a long pole attached that could not be wielded one-handed, and weapons of a similar style are known from the time of Alexander the Great until the 1800s. Indeed, pikes made from decommissioned bayonet blades welded to a steel tube were created to be issued to the British Home Guard in 1942, but were never introduced after public outcry at so archaic a weapon. Generally, they lost their effectiveness as muskets and other gunpowder-powered weapons became common on the battlefield. However, they also have a ceremonial role to play, and the Swiss Guard at the Vatican still sometimes carry them. This is a large, fine example with excellent detail on the blade. Size: 4.5" W x 91" H (11.4 cm x 231.1 cm). ITEM IS TOO LARGE TO SHIP INTERNATIONAL.

Provenance: Ex-Private Young collection, Colorado Springs, CO

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#111784

The iron is in excellent shape, with very little patina; the same goes for the wooden handle. It is unclear if the wooden handle is original but it is certainly old.