Antique 16th Century European Boar Spear Pike

Antique 16th century European large boar spear - pike head, extremely well made of hand forged steel, with a broad leaf-shaped blade with a strongly pronounced medial ridge on each side, extending down a tapered tubular socket and struck with the maker's mark on one side and pierced with two holes for the pins to be fastened to the wooden pole.
The boar spear name referred to a polearm with a broad leaf-shaped blade with a strongly pronounced medial ridge. This type of spear was used from the Middle Ages to the end of the 16th century as a hunting weapon to kill large animals such as wild boar and bears and as a combat polearm used by German and Swiss foot soldiers - the famous Landsknechts.
Some of these spears had simple crossbars made of antler, iron, or bone attached under the head to the shaft with leather straps, rope, or wire to limit excessive penetration.

Due to the extensive use of firearms as combat and hunting weapons, in the 17th century, boar spear spears were abandoned as actual weapons and served strictly as parade processional staff weapons besides parade halberds and partisans. Those spears were made as parade weapons with a light, hollow construction and adorned with engraved decoration on the surface.

This massive spearhead is a rare example of a real combat weapon that can easily pierce chainmail, brigandine, or light steel armour.

CONDITION: shows age and use, slightly pitted, however in good condition, considering its age to be over 350 years.

MEASUREMENTS:
The overall length of the steelhead with the socket: 36 cm (14.17 inches).
WEIGHT; 1.386 Kg. (3.06 pounds)

To see the 16th century pictures depicting warriors armed with similar spears, please view the last two photos in the listing.