A rare Pair of Chinese Tiger Forks or Trident Spears 19th century

 A pair of antique "Tiger Forks" or trident spears from China. Massive polearm heads, made of steel with two large outerforks with inner sharpened blades, and a central four-sided spike with a spear tip to the end. The blades are very finely made with a thickened centre section and chamfered edges, forged so as to fit through a slot in the central spike to provide great strength and shock resistance. Beneath the blades there is a brass or bronze fitting cast onto the steel haft, which is open socketed and widens to take the polearm shaft. One tiger fork retains some original cotton cord, probably part of the original fixing or binding. Surviving in an uncleaned dark patinated condition, good solid steel with light pitting overall, as a pair these are very rare to find and form a fantastic display piece. Dating to the 19th century. Approx 17.5 inches x 28 inches. far east, spear lance, polearm, halberd, helmbarte