European Austrian ‘Styrian’ Halberd polearm circa 1560

 A very nice antique European pole-arm known as a halberd. Primarily a foot soldiers weapon, and derived from the pike and the axe, these were used offensively against cavalry successfully throughout Europe during the 16th century,and earlier. Regional variations in the exact form can be seen from polearms of this type from Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, although the combination of an axe-type blade, a long spear or awl spike, and usually a hook of some kind seem common to all. This example is solidly made of steel with a very stout and long central spike, used to dispatch fallen cavalry, one side features a deeply stamped makers mark. The long steel side straps offered some protection against the wooden haft being cut through. These halberds are often offered on replacement shafts, this one still has its four-sided and ribbed original which is solid besides having some wear and old holing, the lower 22 inches has  a replacement section dovetailed into it probably in the 19th century when many of these were used in displays and had shafts modified or shortened. A magnificent display piece, an original weapon circa 1560, Northern Europe. 93 inches long approximately, the head down to the collar measures 26 inches . european weapon, rapier, swiss, landsknecht, lance, spear, pole-axe,