November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Interesting example of an early colonial spontoon head with neatly executed punched decorations. The double edged blade measures approximately 11" in length and approximately 3 - 5/8" inches at its widest point. Each side of the ridge features punched circles, the first side is punched with 3 holes, followed by the year "1739" and then 2 more punched circles. The opposite side of the ridge features the same 3 circles followed by the letters IHS, with the H accommodating a cross, and 2 more circles. The letters IHS are used as a Christian symbol and monogram for Jesus. Due to the crossover between military, government, militias, and the churches during this time period it would not be uncommon for these edged weapons to display religious motifs. Notably, similar decorations are often encountered on other examples of colonial polearms, such as halberds. The book "American Polearms 1526-1865" by Robert Hilton Brown features such weapons on the cover, and they are also mentioned on pg. 35. A halberd with the date "1739" is mentioned to have been found in a colonial home in Guilford, Connecticut, on plate 30, and another featured on the same page with the letters "IHS" is mentioned to have been found near York, Pennsylvania, on plate 31. There is also a halberd mentioned on pg. 37, plate 32 which is similar in width to this example. Also see pg. 346 PA.28 in "The History of Weapons of the American Revolution" by Neumann. This spontoon head is pictured on pg. 277 in "American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords Volume I". CONDITION: The spontoon exhibits a heavy chocolate patina with light wear along the edges. Scattered forging flaws. Crude seam on the long ferrule is coming apart towards the end. A nice example of a decorated spontoon head.