strange polerarm
 

A friend of mine owns a polearm, what I think is of French origin, eventually of the times of Charles IX. (1560-1574). Perhaps I am wrong so I hope that the French users here are able to help.

no opinion at all?

Nice oiece,Udo. It would be interesting to know whether this polearm has a type name or is an atypical (exclusive)version.

I think I found it - intensive search helps really:
Officers Partisan, Savoy-France, 1638-1648, Madame Reale Christina and monogram of Carlo Emanuele III. king of Sardinia. (see Heribert Seitz, Blankwaffen II, Braunschweig 1968). Seitz called this a "Glefe"

good find!

A truly amazing artifact! I've heard the tasseled collar was to keep moisture away from where the head fit into the shaft? And also for ceremonial purposes-

... and also to keep 'moisture' (ie. blood) from running down the shaft and making the wielder's hands slippery. It'll run down the hanging tassles & fall off instead.

I recently saw a similar example at a traveling display from the Museo Stibbert in Florence, Italy. They gave it a specific name I had not heard of before, which I cannot remember, thus eliminating the utility of this post.

I remember it because I personally would have just called it a partisan, but I noted they called it something else.

I dug through my photos and researched a bit, but cannot find the reference I’m looking for.


At the very least, however, I can assure you it is not a one-off or unique design. While it may not be the most popular or widespread polearm, this form existed in at least France and Italy.