There was a discussion a while ago where the hand-gisarm (a gisarm blade on a three foot haft) was brought forward, similar to this weapon but without the hook at the end. According to the one literary reference I know, "Men Of Iron" by Howard Pyle (who was himself an expert on Medieval European Weaponry among other things) the hand gisarm was popular during the reign of Richard Couer de Lion as a substitute for the lance in the lists, but fell out of favor after a brief time. If it was indeed in vogue for a time, it doesn't surprise me to see other variants of polearms being shortened for one-handed use.
Fenris
BTW, if it's cluttering up your house, I'd be glad to get rid of it for you. Of course you'd have to give it to me for free, and pay for the shipping yourself....
