A FINE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD AMERICAN TRENCH SPEAR/PIKE HEAD, ca. 1770s:: In overall fine untouched condition with much of its polish. The unmarked, 6″, leaf-form, sharp, double-edge, spear point blade with a hand forged, integral, 3 1/4″ socket. Retains fine, untouched smooth steel surfaces with fine age patina overall. In fine condition: the blade with sharp contours and cutting-edges. Nicely forged socket with evident hammering marks. A very nice example of an American Revolutionary War Trench Spear/Pike, ca. 1770s. Due to the scarcity of arms, many colonists resorted to the use of pikes, like this example. Those fitted with long wooden hafts as Trench Spears and short hafted examples were used as Naval Boarding Pikes. For similar examples, please see G. C. Neumann’s: “Swords & Blades of the American Revolution”. Overall length, 9″.
Image and description courtesy of Paul’s Antique Arms & Armour at: http://www.ambroseantiques.com/swords.htm