Ancient Spear Or Forgery?

[Mark]

Originally Posted by tom hyle

If it seems excessively heavy, especially in the thickness of the flanges, that may more point to a late 19th decorative piece; I think old partizans and spontoons were usually fairly light affairs; on the other hand, most I've seen were somewhat vestigial 18th century rank-marker military standards, or others similarly ceremonial, so say it was a 17th c. piece; a greater weight and solidity might be "right" for all I know. If it seems cast, it's likely 1850-1930. What about the decorative theme; the man or boy; I know there's not much detail left, but it seems like a "stock" image; perhaps a datable one?

I was thinking a later ceremonial piece, as well. I have read somewhere that the partizan (and the halbard, too, I guess) survived for a long time as a prop in the pomp and circumstance of European noble's trains. Picture the Beefeaters, the Swiss Guard, or the [English] Queen's Life Guard. Well, the last one's don't carry pole-arms, but they do wear anachronistic cuirasses and burnished helmets. I would expect that this kind of thing became more decorative and less useful as a weapon as time went by.