American Revolution
American Revolutionary War Era Hand-Forged Museum Quality Pole-Arm Pike Weapon Measuring About 7 Feet Tall
c. 1770s Revolutionary War Era, Hand-Forged head on wooden shaft, French or American Pole-Arm Pike edged weapon, measures about 7 feet tall overall, with 10.5" blade part of the 18" overall steel head attached on a 66" long wooden shaft, Choice Very Fine.
Historic American Revolutionary War Period Pole-arm edged weapon with a 10.5" blade as part of the 18" overall head, likely of American or French manufacture. The iron blade is leaf-shaped with a slight central spine, affixed to a tapered socket, lacking the cross bars often seen on these weapons. The blade tapers from a sharp tip to 2.75" at its widest point, no cross bar. The head is in turn affixed to a 66" shaft, likely walnut, with a rounded base. This blacksmith-made weapon is unmarked, with the blade and socket showing normal oxidation with resultant overall natural patina. This was a very effective weapon when yielded by a foot soldier or chevalier. A Pole-arm was of special use when infantry had to repel mounted cavalry, an advantage given by the long reach. As muskets replaced pikes, the latter became more a symbol of authority and discipline. Common soldiers stopped carrying pikes, which were used solely by officers. An excellent quality period weapon for display.
On December 22, 1777 General George Washington issued the following General Orders for the junior officers in the Continental Army Headquarters at Valley Forge, making the Spontoon style Pole-arm a standard sidearm of junior officers. As the proper arming of the officers would add considerable strength to the American Patriot Army, and the officers themselves derive great confidence from being armed in time of action, the Washington orders every one of them to provide himself with a half-pike or spear, as soon as possible. That these half-pikes may be of one length and uniformly made.