Help/info on old polearms

machinist · 18th December 2011, 07:30 PM

I have a couple polearms that I have had since the eighties and was wondering if anyone here had any ideas about age, origin, or usage. I was told the previous owner believed they were from Brittany and from the 1700's or previous. The one with two mounting arms I have seen several examples in photos but never any information. The one with a mounting socket someone told me was similar to a sugar cane cutter that he had seen but that fellow seemed a bit off. I am also considering that they may have been used for the butchering of whales as Bretons were supposedly active in that although I would of course prefer to think of them as stout peasant weapons.
Sorry about the pics, I am using the still function on an old camcorder. Pencil used for scale

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fernando · 18th December 2011, 08:54 PM

Hi Machinist,
You should use the forum upload features. I have replaced your photobucket images with direct attachments.
I will also move your thread to the European Arms section, where your polearms will in principle be better placed for discussion.

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machinist · 19th December 2011, 11:02 PM

Sorry about that, thanks for the assist Fernando

fernando · 20th December 2011, 01:59 PM

These would be very early examples of the halberd family; in fact, significantly earlier than what you were told.
... So early that you must consider whether they are authentic or recent replicas, like for re-enacting or decoration.
Better pictures would help experienced members to judge on that.

Matchlock · 20th December 2011, 04:46 PM

Hi 'Nando,

I'm on the same page with you considering that the basic shapes of those polearms are of Late-Gothic style. On second sight though they are late 19th-c. made at best.

m

machinist · 20th December 2011, 11:37 PM

Thanks for the ideas Fernando and Matchlock, I had not really considered that they might be wallhangers but that is always a possibility. The one with the single socket really looks excavated from its deep pitting but a good faker could do that I suppose. The first order of business for me is to get a proper camera and upload better pics. Thanks again.

18th December 2011, 07:30 PM	#1
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	Help/info on old polearms I have a couple polearms that I have had since the eighties and was wondering if anyone here had any ideas about age, origin, or usage. I was told the previous owner believed they were from Brittany and from the 1700's or previous. The one with two mounting arms I have seen several examples in photos but never any information. The one with a mounting socket someone told me was similar to a sugar cane cutter that he had seen but that fellow seemed a bit off. I am also considering that they may have been used for the butchering of whales as Bretons were supposedly active in that although I would of course prefer to think of them as stout peasant weapons. Sorry about the pics, I am using the still function on an old camcorder. Pencil used for scale . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 18th December 2011 at 08:45 PM.

18th December 2011, 08:54 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Machinist, You should use the forum upload features. I have replaced your photobucket images with direct attachments. I will also move your thread to the European Arms section, where your polearms will in principle be better placed for discussion. .

19th December 2011, 11:02 PM	#3
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	Sorry about that, thanks for the assist Fernando

20th December 2011, 01:59 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	These would be very early examples of the halberd family; in fact, significantly earlier than what you were told. ... So early that you must consider whether they are authentic or recent replicas, like for re-enacting or decoration. Better pictures would help experienced members to judge on that.

20th December 2011, 04:46 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi 'Nando, I'm on the same page with you considering that the basic shapes of those polearms are of Late-Gothic style. On second sight though they are late 19th-c. made at best. m

20th December 2011, 11:37 PM	#6
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	Thanks for the ideas Fernando and Matchlock, I had not really considered that they might be wallhangers but that is always a possibility. The one with the single socket really looks excavated from its deep pitting but a good faker could do that I suppose. The first order of business for me is to get a proper camera and upload better pics. Thanks again.