May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
This halberd is illustrated and discussed on pages 74 & 75 of "For Liberty I Live" by Al Benting. By the outbreak of the Revolution, the halberd was being used as both a defensive weapon and a symbol of rank by Sergeants. In his 1770 engraving entitled "A View of the Town of Boston in New England and British Ships of War Landing Their Troops 1768". Paul Revere illustrates Red Coats unloading on long wharf commanded by Halberd-Bearing, Wolf Headed Sergeants. This example dates between 1725-1750 and is highly decorative. It is comprised of a two piece head and the square medial shaft is split, allowing the cutting edge to be slipped through then blacksmithed as one. The shaft is secured by two iron straps use nails. This type is also described in "American Polearms" by Rodney Hilton Brown as a Type I halberd. For a nearly identical example see plate 30 in page 35. The halberd measures about 92" overall. The head measures 21 - 1/2" overall by almost 11" at the widest point. The double edged blade on top has a diamond section, armor and chainmail piercing spike of about 2" and has decorative cut outs at the base. The halberd blade and spike have five piercings including diamonds and swords. CONDITION: Head retains a mostly dark patina with one side cleaned near the top. The blade shows some period nicks to edge. One strap is absent and the other is only partially intact. Haft is a replacement. A very scarce and attractive early American polearm.