16th C European Trident (War Fork)?

DavidFriedman · 3rd July 2021, 01:59 AM

Greetings fellow enthusiasts. I recently acquired this beautiful war fork from Europe. Titled War Fork 1600’s.

It appears similar to some documented examples, but not identical in form.

May I ask if anyone with experience in European polearms has any insight on this piece?

Cheers and thanks.

fernando · 3rd July 2021, 01:11 PM

Most interesting David ... but, are you sure this is European ?
Any marks ?

DavidFriedman · 3rd July 2021, 05:38 PM

Hi Fernando,
I’m not 100 % sure it’s European, but I’ve never seen a trident like this design in any other region, personally. I’m pretty familiar with Indian and Chinese trident forms.

Any ideas of which region if not Europe?

Unfortunately there aren’t any markings I can see, but I’ll scour it more today and see if there’s any hidden away.

I attached an image that showed several European war forks.

fernando · 3rd July 2021, 06:05 PM

So it is European, David; it is just that i had some doubts about the shape, like looking Asian ... but what do i know

.
One thing is certain; it is a beautiful piece

.

DavidFriedman · 3rd July 2021, 06:16 PM

Hi Fernando,
It’s definitely a mystery piece for sure. Thanks, I love it’s form. I hope it’s as old as the ones in the illustration.

Thanks

fernando · 4th July 2021, 12:27 PM

Do you know where you got that illustration, David ?
I went through authors like George Snook and John Waldman and the only style of polearms resembling yours is the RUNKA. However the differences in shape and construction look visibly different.

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3rd July 2021, 01:59 AM	#1
DavidFriedman Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 113	16th C European Trident (War Fork)? Greetings fellow enthusiasts. I recently acquired this beautiful war fork from Europe. Titled War Fork 1600’s. It appears similar to some documented examples, but not identical in form. May I ask if anyone with experience in European polearms has any insight on this piece? Cheers and thanks. Attached Images

3rd July 2021, 05:38 PM	#3
DavidFriedman Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 113	European? Hi Fernando, I’m not 100 % sure it’s European, but I’ve never seen a trident like this design in any other region, personally. I’m pretty familiar with Indian and Chinese trident forms. Any ideas of which region if not Europe? Unfortunately there aren’t any markings I can see, but I’ll scour it more today and see if there’s any hidden away. I attached an image that showed several European war forks. Attached Images

3rd July 2021, 06:16 PM	#5
DavidFriedman Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 113	Mystery Hi Fernando, It’s definitely a mystery piece for sure. Thanks, I love it’s form. I hope it’s as old as the ones in the illustration. Thanks

4th July 2021, 12:27 PM	#6
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Do you know where you got that illustration, David ? I went through authors like George Snook and John Waldman and the only style of polearms resembling yours is the RUNKA. However the differences in shape and construction look visibly different. . Attached Images

3rd July 2021, 01:11 PM	#2
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Most interesting David ... but, are you sure this is European ? Any marks ?

3rd July 2021, 06:05 PM	#4
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	So it is European, David; it is just that i had some doubts about the shape, like looking Asian ... but what do i know . One thing is certain; it is a beautiful piece .