[shayde78]

Hello everyone - I hope you're doing well!

I recently acquired the halberd head pictured below. I am using the seller's photos (as a quick glance at any of my past threads will demonstrate the sorry state of my camera and the poor quality of my photos!). However, I do have the object in hand and can answer questions, take additional photos. I am also including measurements, but can offer additional ones, if needed.

First, my overall impressions - I purchased this thinking it was likely a locally made American head. Although it looked older, the head clearly has '1808' inscribed upon it, so I figured it might be early 19th century to conform to that date. As such, if figured I would be getting something flimsy and ceremonial.

However, this is anything but. It is solidly constructed, has real heft, and seems well forged (if not fancily finished or adorned). This is why I'm confused. Would something with these characteristics and of this form be manufactured in 1808?

Speaking of the inscription, it is fairly clear in the photos, but here is a transcription:
On the 'Obverse' side - HARTMANS DOREER - and what appears to be a maker's mark, possibly 'IICK'

On the 'Reverse' side - GEMEINTE:ANO:1808 - there are a cluster of three dots at both before and after this line.

Also, all the 'N's are reversed. There also almost seem to be umlauts over the 'N' in 'ANO', which make no sense, unless this is a vowel that looks like an 'N' ('U'?)

GENEINTE seems to be German for commune/community. Perhaps 'Hartmans Doreer' is a founder or name of a new community that was founded in 1808, maybe in the new American nation? Per the seller, this is from an estate in Pennsylvania. The owner was a film actor and traveled a bit, so it may not have any connection to this part of the world, but I mention the little I know of the provenance in case it helps.

Measurements:
Weight: 1lb 9.875oz
Overall length: 42cm (16.5") [this includes the 5cm of the one partial languet]
Width at widest point (tip of beak to bottom tip of crescent): 17.5cm (6 7/8")
Length of 'spike': 19cm (7.5")
Length of crescent (tip to tip, NOT conforming to curve): 12cm (4 7/8")
Length of beak (underside to the curly bit): 6.5cm (2.5")

Thickness at the central intersection of the spike, crescent, and beak: 12mm
Thickness of the remaining partial langet: 5mm

So there you go - what do you think??

As always, I appreciate each of you for the feedback you provide, not just on my posts, but on each post in this forum. This is my classroom, and you are all great teachers!
-Rob