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Halberd

A halberd is a two-handed polearm weapon originating in medieval Europe, characterized by a long shaft—typically about 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length—topped with a three-part iron head consisting of an axe blade for chopping, a spear-like spike for thrusting, and a beak or hook for pulling or grappling.^[1]^[2] This versatile design enabled infantry to engage armored cavalry effectively by puncturing plate armor with the spike, delivering heavy blows with the blade, or catching and unhorsing riders with the hook, making it a staple of foot soldier armament from the 14th through the 16th centuries.^[1]^[3] The halberd's development traces back to the late Middle Ages, particularly associated with Swiss infantry who employed it as a primary weapon in their cantonal militias during the 14th and early 15th centuries, contributing to pivotal victories such as the Battle of Sempach in 1386 and the Battle of Nancy in 1477.^[3] By the early 16th century, its battlefield role began to wane with the rise of firearms like the harquebus and the decline of heavy armor, though it persisted in use among Swiss mercenaries and was adopted ceremonially by European rulers, including France's cent-Suisses guard established by Louis XI in 1480 and the Vatican's Swiss Guard from 1506 onward.^[3] In terms of construction, early examples from around 1500 featured single-socket heads with straight-edged blades, evolving by the mid-16th century to concave-edged variants and more elaborate socket designs (rectangular, hexagonal, or transitional forms), often secured to ash wood shafts with metal langets for reinforcement; these variations are evident in surviving artifacts from collections like the National Military Museum in the Netherlands.^[2] By the 17th century, the halberd had largely transitioned from a combat tool to a symbol of authority, carried by sergeants for maintaining formations, administering discipline, or serving as badges of rank in armies across Europe and the American colonies—such as the fifty halberdiers who arrived at Jamestown in 1610 as guards for Governor Thomas West, Lord De La Warr.^[3]^[4] Ornate examples from this period, like those with engraved motifs such as griffin heads, highlight their ceremonial prestige, though some were pragmatically adapted for utility tasks, as seen in a Jamestown artifact repurposed to retrieve items from a well.^[4] The weapon's etymology derives from Middle High German Hellebarde (from helm meaning "handle" and barte meaning "axe"), reflecting its Germanic origins, and it remained in limited military symbolism into the early 19th century before fading entirely from active service.^[1]

Introduction and Design

Definition and Basic Features

A halberd is a two-handed polearm weapon developed for infantry use, consisting of a long shaft fitted with a metal head that integrates an axe blade, a thrusting spike, and a rearward hook or fluke.^[5] The name derives from Middle High German halm (referring to the long shaft or handle) and barte (an axe or broad blade), reflecting its combined design elements.^[5] This versatile shafted weapon emerged as a staple for foot soldiers in late medieval Europe, particularly valued for its multi-purpose capabilities in close-quarters combat against armored opponents.^[5] The core components of a halberd include a sturdy wooden shaft, often made of ash or oak for durability and balance, typically measuring 1.5 to 2 meters in length to provide reach while allowing two-handed wielding.^[5] At the head, the axe blade—usually with a convex or straight cutting edge—enables powerful chopping or hacking motions, while the apical spike facilitates thrusting attacks similar to a spear.^[6] The rear fluke, often a hooked or beak-like projection, serves for pulling down mounted knights, tripping foes, or piercing armor joints, enhancing the weapon's utility beyond simple slashing or stabbing.^[5] The metal head is secured to the shaft via a socket and langets (reinforcing straps) to withstand the stresses of battle.^[6] Halberds were forged primarily from steel for the head to ensure sharpness and resilience, with total weights ranging from 2 to 5 kilograms depending on size and craftsmanship, making them maneuverable yet formidable for trained users.^[6] Early examples, such as those from 15th-century Germany, featured narrower blades and broader spikes, emphasizing thrusting over chopping, while later variants refined the balance for ceremonial or guard duties.^[6] This combination of features distinguished the halberd from simpler polearms like spears or bills, positioning it as one of the most adaptable weapons for dismounted soldiers facing cavalry or infantry formations.^[5]

Construction and Components

The halberd's head typically consists of three primary elements: an axe blade for chopping, a thrusting spike or point for piercing, and a rear hook or beak for pulling or grappling. These components form a versatile combat tool mounted on a long shaft, allowing for both offensive and defensive maneuvers. The axe blade is often crescent-shaped or convex-edged, while the spike extends upward from the blade's top, and the beak projects backward from the base, sometimes sharpened for armor penetration.^[2]^[7] Construction of the halberd head involves forge-welding a single unit of iron or steel, ensuring durability under impact. Early 14th-century examples feature the blade tapering directly into the thrusting point, with a cleaver-like form secured by two loops on the rear for shaft attachment. By the 15th century, designs evolved to include a central socket for mounting, often reinforced with side straps or langets—thin metal strips riveted along the shaft to prevent splitting. Some heads incorporate decorative openwork or engravings, particularly in ceremonial variants.^[7]^[8]^[4] The shaft, or haft, is generally made from sturdy wood such as ash, measuring 1.5 to 2 meters in length to provide reach while maintaining balance. Early shafts were round in cross-section, but later ones often adopted a quadrangular profile for added strength. The head's socket or loops encircle the shaft's top, fixed with nails, rivets, or wedges; in transitional 15th-century forms, two "eyes" or lugs on the head allowed the shaft to pass through for a secure fit, later replaced by the more robust socket construction. Total weight typically ranges from 2 to 5 kilograms, optimized for two-handed use by infantry.^[8]^[2]^[4]

Historical Origins and Evolution

Early Development

The halberd, a versatile polearm combining elements of an axe, spear, and hook, originated in Central Europe during the late 13th century, with early development centered in regions such as Switzerland, Alsace, and the areas around Basel.^[7] It evolved primarily from earlier shafted weapons like the two-handed Danish axe of the Viking Age and medieval poleaxes, which featured axe-like blades attached via two "eyes" to a wooden shaft for enhanced reach and cutting power against armored foes.^[9]^[10] The weapon's design addressed the need for infantry to counter heavy cavalry, incorporating a sharpened blade, a thrusting spike, and eventually a rear-facing beak for pulling riders from horses, reflecting tactical shifts in medieval warfare.^[9] Archaeological evidence supports this timeline, with fragments of early halberd-like blades dated to 1200–1300 discovered near Basel and in Alsace, indicating localized production possibly linked to military obligations under Habsburg rule.^[7] Pictorial depictions provide further confirmation, including a German Psalter from the early 13th century showing shafted weapons with elongated axe blades and vertical spikes, and a Carolingian wall painting from Müstair, Switzerland (now in Zurich's Landesmuseum), hinting at proto-halberd forms.^[10] The earliest literary reference appears in the works of Konrad of Würzburg (d. 1287), who described halberds as formidable instruments of death in his poetry, underscoring their emerging role in contemporary accounts.^[10] The halberd's practical debut in battle occurred at Morgarten in 1315, where Swiss confederates from Schwyz wielded them effectively against Habsburg knights, as chronicled by Johannes von Winterthur in his Chronicon (completed 1348).^[7]^[9]^[10] Winterthur noted their ability to cleave through armor and unhorse mounted warriors, with surviving artifacts from the site featuring rectangular blades and modest spear points attached via two eyes.^[9] By the early 14th century, refinements included integrating the spike into the blade and adding a beak, transitioning toward a unified socket mount for greater durability, as seen in lake finds from Lucerne dated to the 14th century.^[7] This evolution was driven by the Swiss cantons' emphasis on infantry tactics and their imperial privileges to bear arms, fostering rapid adoption across Alpine regions.^[10]

Peak Usage in Medieval Warfare

The halberd achieved its zenith in medieval warfare during the late 15th century, particularly within the Swiss Confederacy's military system, where it became a staple weapon for infantry forces challenging feudal cavalry dominance. Emerging as a versatile polearm combining an axe blade for slashing, a spear point for thrusting, and a rear hook for dismounting riders, the halberd was ideally suited to the evolving tactics of massed infantry formations. Swiss cantons, relying on conscripted peasants who often supplied their own arms, favored the halberd for its affordability and ease of production using local woodworking and blacksmithing techniques. By the 1470s, it had supplanted earlier halberd variants in Swiss service, complementing the longer pike in combined arms strategies that emphasized disciplined advances and close-quarters combat.^[7] In the Burgundian Wars (1474–1477), Swiss halberdiers demonstrated the weapon's tactical supremacy against professional armies equipped with heavy armor and artillery. At the Battle of Grandson (1476), approximately 17,000 Swiss troops, including halberd-wielding vanguard units, routed Charles the Bold's Burgundian forces by advancing in dense squares that repelled cavalry charges and exploited terrain advantages. Halberds proved especially effective for hooking and pulling knights from their mounts, allowing follow-up strikes with the axe head or spear tip to penetrate plate armor at vulnerable joints. This engagement, resulting in minimal Swiss losses (around 200) compared to heavy Burgundian casualties, highlighted the halberd's role in enabling infantry to dictate battlefield momentum. Similarly, at the Battle of Morat (1476), halberdiers flanked and encircled Burgundian lines, contributing to the slaughter of over 10,000 enemies while sustaining fewer than 500 casualties themselves.^[11]^[12] The weapon's prominence extended to the Swabian War of 1499, where Swiss halberdiers formed the core of central battle lines in formations of 5,000 to 8,000 men, positioned behind pike-wielding fronts to counter breakthroughs. At the Battle of Dornach, halberds facilitated devastating counterattacks against Maximilian I's imperial forces, using their hooks to disrupt enemy cohesion and their blades to deliver concussive blows through visors and pauldrons. This era marked the halberd's adaptation to infantry revolutions across Europe, influencing German Landsknecht mercenaries who adopted similar polearm tactics. However, the rise of firearms in the early 16th century began eroding its battlefield role, as arquebuses offered greater range and penetration against armored foes. By the war's end, the halberd had solidified its legacy as a symbol of Swiss martial prowess, contributing to the Confederacy's independence and the decline of knightly warfare.^[13]^[14]

Military Applications

Combat Techniques

The halberd was wielded two-handed, leveraging its long shaft for reach and power in both offensive and defensive maneuvers. Combatants typically adopted guards with the weapon held diagonally across the body or vertically, allowing quick transitions between thrusting with the spear-like point and sweeping cuts using the axe blade. These positions emphasized balance and footwork to maintain distance while preparing for engagement.^[15] Offensively, the halberd excelled in versatile attacks suited to battlefield chaos. Thrusts targeted the torso or face, exploiting the spike's penetration against unarmored foes or gaps in plate. Powerful overhead or lateral chops with the axe head delivered crushing blows, amplified by the pole's leverage to cleave helmets or shields. The rear spike or hook enabled grappling techniques, such as pulling shields aside or dismounting cavalry by snagging stirrups, armor, or saddles before following with strikes. In close quarters, the weapon's hook could also parry incoming blades while setting up counters.^[15] Defensively, halberdiers used the stout wooden shaft to deflect or bind opponents' weapons, redirecting thrusts from pikes or swords away from the body. This "wrapping" or crossing technique, often combined with stepping aside, created openings for ripostes. Footwork was crucial, involving advances, retreats, or passes to evade sweeps while preserving formation integrity. Against mounted charges, groups of halberdiers formed dense lines to hook and topple horses, transitioning to thrusts against fallen riders.^[15] In military contexts, halberd techniques integrated with pike squares, where halberdiers protected flanks and engaged at shorter ranges. Swiss infantry, for instance, used coordinated hooks and chops to dismantle armored knights, as seen in ambushes exploiting terrain to negate cavalry momentum. This tactical synergy made halberds devastating in infantry clashes until firearms diminished their role by the mid-16th century.

Notable Historical Uses

The halberd played a pivotal role in the Swiss struggles for independence against the Habsburgs during the 14th century, particularly in ambushes and close-quarters engagements where its versatility allowed infantry to counter heavily armored knights. In the Battle of Morgarten on November 15, 1315, approximately 1,500 Swiss fighters from Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden used halberds to devastating effect against a Habsburg force of around 10,000, including cavalry. Charging downhill from concealed positions, the Swiss halberdiers hooked and unseated Austrian knights before striking with the axe blade, resulting in heavy casualties for the invaders and marking a key victory in the formation of the Old Swiss Confederacy.^[16]^[17]^[18] This success was echoed in the Battle of Sempach on July 9, 1386, where a smaller Swiss contingent of about 1,500, armed primarily with halberds, decisively defeated Duke Leopold III of Austria's army of 4,000 knights and infantry. The halberd's spike and hook enabled Swiss fighters to disrupt the Habsburg phalanx and engage in brutal melee, leading to Leopold's death and further solidifying Swiss autonomy. The "Sempach-type" halberd, characterized by a reinforced flat spike and cleaver-like axe blade, became emblematic of these encounters and was refined in subsequent Swiss designs.^[7]^[19] During the Burgundian Wars (1474–1477), halberds were instrumental in the Swiss Confederation's victories over Charles the Bold's forces, showcasing their effectiveness in pitched battles against professional armies. At the Battle of Nancy on January 5, 1477, Swiss halberdiers broke through Burgundian lines, with one account crediting a halberd blow that split Charles's helmet and ended his life, precipitating the collapse of Burgundian power and the absorption of its territories. Halberds complemented pikes in Swiss square formations, providing cutting power to exploit breaches against armored foes.^[3] In the Swabian War of 1499, halberds remained a core weapon for Swiss infantry facing the Swabian League under Maximilian I, contributing to triumphs like the Battle of Dornach where close-range halberd strikes routed imperial cavalry and pikemen. This conflict highlighted the halberd's role in defensive and offensive maneuvers within mixed infantry tactics.^[14] The halberd's influence extended to mercenary forces in the Italian Wars (1494–1559), where German Landsknechts, emulating Swiss methods, deployed halberds to protect pike block flanks and engage in assaults. At the Battle of Pavia in 1525, Landsknecht halberdiers supported the imperial victory over the French by disrupting enemy formations, demonstrating the weapon's adaptability in large-scale Renaissance battles before firearms began to supplant polearms.^[20]

Variants and Comparisons

Regional and Temporal Variants

The halberd's design evolved temporally from a rudimentary 13th-century form, characterized by a simple axe blade with an added spike, into more complex configurations by the 16th century, reflecting shifts from battlefield utility to ceremonial roles. Early examples, dating to around 1200–1300, featured lightweight cleaver-like blades with two loops for attachment without pronounced hooks, as evidenced by archaeological finds from the Rhine near Basel and Alsace.^[7] By the 14th century, thrusting points and rear hooks became standard, enhancing versatility against armored cavalry, as seen in the first documented uses during the Battle of Morgarten in 1315.^[7] The 15th century marked a peak in combat-oriented designs with straight or convex blade edges for slashing, exemplified in Swiss militia weapons like the Sempach type, which emphasized long top spikes for piercing.^[21] From 1500 to 1550, halberds retained these combat features but began incorporating regional decorative elements, such as angled blade edges in Type I.A forms documented in the Maximilian Zeugbuch of 1502.^[2] The 1550–1600 period introduced concave blade edges for better control in thrusting, as illustrated in 1553 Italian fight books for Type II.A-1 variants.^[2] By 1600–1800, designs shifted toward symbolic use with two-piece constructions and ornate sockets in Class IV types, often employed as rank markers by guards rather than in active combat.^[2] Regionally, halberds exhibited pronounced variations across Europe, influenced by local warfare tactics and craftsmanship traditions. In Switzerland, the weapon became iconic among infantry, with distinct cantonal types emerging in the 15th–17th centuries: the Bernese variant, featured in the 1483 Bern Chronicles, included reinforced socket blades and side straps for durability; the Zurich type shared similar mass-produced features post-1656 for militia stockpiles; and the Solothurn design drew from 14th–15th-century archetypes, emphasizing thrusting efficiency.^[7] These Swiss forms, including the Sempach style with its characteristic shape, prioritized straight-edged blades for peasant levies effective against knights, and were later revived in conflicts like the 1656 First War of Villmergen.^[7]^[21] In the Low Countries, particularly the Netherlands, 16th–17th-century halberds favored concave-edged blades in Type III.A configurations for ceremonial guards, as in those for Elector August, contrasting with Swiss combat emphasis and reflecting urban militia roles.^[2] Italian variants, evident in 16th-century depictions, incorporated subtype variations like half-round cut-outs in Type I.A-1 for agile fencing techniques, adapting the halberd to Renaissance combat manuals.^[2] German-speaking regions often mirrored Swiss straight-edged designs for infantry but evolved toward hybrid forms with pronounced beaks by the late 16th century, as classified in broader European typologies.^[2] These differences underscore how halberd forms adapted to terrain, armor types, and socio-military structures, with Swiss models influencing exports across Central Europe.^[2] The halberd is part of a diverse family of medieval polearms designed to provide infantry with reach and versatility against armored cavalry and foot soldiers. These weapons typically feature a wooden shaft of 5 to 8 feet, topped with a metal head combining thrusting, cutting, and sometimes hooking elements, though specific designs vary by region and purpose. Emerging in Europe from the 13th century, related polearms evolved alongside the halberd to address similar tactical needs, such as unhorsing knights or breaching plate armor, but they differ in blade shape, weight, and primary function.^[22]^[9] The bill, a close relative particularly associated with English forces, resembles a lighter variant of the halberd with a hooked, curved blade for slashing and pulling, often paired with a spear point and beak. Unlike the halberd's broader axe blade and integrated spike, the bill emphasized agricultural-tool origins, making it more agile for infantry formations but less effective against heavy plate armor. It saw widespread use in the Hundred Years' War and beyond, valued for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness in peasant levies.^[22]^[9] The glaive stands out for its long, single-edged, sword-like blade mounted perpendicular to the shaft, prioritizing sweeping cuts over the halberd's multi-tool design. Lacking the halberd's prominent hook or spear tip, the glaive was a thrusting and slashing weapon popular across 13th- to 16th-century Europe, including in French and Italian armies, and similar to Asian weapons like the naginata. Its broader blade allowed for powerful hacks but required greater skill to wield effectively in dense combat.^[22]^[9] Closely akin to the halberd is the poleaxe (or pollaxe), a shorter weapon (typically 5-6 feet) optimized for individual duels or close-quarters melee, featuring an axe or hammer head, rear spike, and sometimes a top spike but without the halberd's extended spear point. This design made it more maneuverable for armored knights in tournaments or sieges, delivering crushing blows to helmets and joints, though its reduced length limited formation use compared to the halberd.^[22]^[9] The partisan, evolved from earlier spear forms like the langue de boeuf, features a diamond-shaped spear point flanked by lateral wings for trapping enemy blades, functioning mainly as a thrusting weapon rather than the halberd's slashing hybrid. Favored by guards and cavalry in the 15th-17th centuries, its elegant, symmetrical head distinguished it from the halberd's utilitarian axe-hook combination, often serving in ceremonial roles alongside battlefield utility.^[9] In Eastern European contexts, the bardiche offered a sweeping alternative with its broad, axe-like blade extending partially down the shaft and secured by nails, differing from the halberd's socketed, integrated head. This construction allowed for powerful cleaving strikes, making it a staple in Russian and Polish forces from the 16th century, though less versatile for hooking maneuvers.^[9] Other specialized relatives include the lucerne hammer, which substitutes the halberd's axe blade with a four-pronged hammer head for percussive impacts against armor, retaining the beak and spear elements for grappling. Developed in the 15th century, it targeted the concussive vulnerabilities of plate suits, particularly in Swiss and German infantry tactics. Collectively, these polearms peaked in the late medieval period before firearms rendered them obsolete by the 17th century, though many persisted in ceremonial guards.^[9]^[23]

Legacy and Modern Context

Ceremonial and Symbolic Roles

Throughout history, the halberd transitioned from a battlefield weapon to a prominent ceremonial implement, particularly among elite guards and in formal processions. By the early 17th century, halberds were primarily carried as symbols of authority by officers and bodyguards protecting dignitaries, often featuring ornate designs without sharpened edges for practical combat.^[4] This evolution reflected the weapon's imposing presence and versatility, making it ideal for ceremonial duties where display outweighed functionality. Similarly, 19th-century examples, such as those in European collections, served as decorative versions of earlier polearms, adorned with tassels and insignia to denote rank during parades.^[24] In modern contexts, the halberd retains its ceremonial role most notably with the Pontifical Swiss Guard at the Vatican, where it symbolizes continuity with the Swiss mercenary tradition dating to 1506. Guard members, known as halberdiers, carry these polearms during state receptions, Easter and Christmas ceremonies, and the annual swearing-in oath. As of October 2025, they pair halberds with both traditional 16th-century-inspired gala uniforms—including silver helmets and red plumes—and a newly introduced semi-formal uniform consisting of a black wool jacket with gold buttons and a yellow-and-white striped belt, used for special occasions while the gala attire persists for formal papal events.^[25]^[26] Although contemporary training emphasizes modern firearms, the halberd underscores the Guard's historical vow to protect the Pope, evoking the martial heritage of Swiss infantry.^[27] Symbolically, the halberd embodies Swiss independence and martial prowess, serving as a national icon in heraldry and emblems. It appears stylized on cantonal coats of arms, municipal seals, family crests, and Swiss Army insignia, representing the Old Swiss Confederacy's combativeness against historical foes like the Habsburgs.^[7] This enduring symbolism traces to the weapon's prominence in 14th- and 15th-century battles, such as Morgarten in 1315, where it signified defensive strength and collective resolve.^[7] In broader European heraldry, the halberd denotes vigilance and authority, often depicted in processional contexts to evoke chivalric or civic pride.^[28]

Contemporary Replicas and Uses

In the modern era, halberds are primarily replicated for historical reenactment, martial arts training, and ceremonial purposes rather than practical combat. Contemporary replicas are crafted by specialized manufacturers using materials like high-carbon steel for blades and durable woods such as ash or oak for hafts, ensuring functionality while adhering to safety standards for non-lethal use. For instance, companies like Arms & Armor produce custom halberds modeled after 15th- to 16th-century designs, featuring slanted axe edges and back spikes, with overall lengths around 6 to 7 feet to replicate historical proportions.^[29] These replicas are often sold unmounted or with interchangeable heads, allowing customization for display or practice.^[30] Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) practitioners utilize halberd replicas to study and reconstruct techniques from period treatises, such as those by Joachim Meyer in his 1570 Art of Combat, emphasizing thrusts, cuts, and hooks against armored opponents. Organizations such as the HEMA Alliance promote such training, where blunt or feder-tipped versions prevent injury during sparring.^[31] Reenactment groups, including those focused on medieval battles like Agincourt or Swiss pike formations, employ full-scale replicas in choreographed demonstrations to educate audiences on polearm tactics.^[32] Beyond the Vatican, similar ceremonial uses appear in European military parades and heritage festivals, such as those in Switzerland commemorating the halberd's role in early infantry warfare.^[33]

References

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- **Description**: The halberd is a weapon with a slender spike, requiring deft handling, featuring intricate openwork and engraving with griffin heads on the blade, reflecting the West family crest. Part of the wooden staff remains attached with metal straps (languets), and the blade was bent into a hook by colonists.
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Halberd - German - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The halberd was a foot-soldier's weapon particularly popular in Germany and Switzerland. It was the most versatile of shafted weapons a man on foot could use.
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### Summary of Halberd Use by Swiss in Burgundian Wars
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Halberd. c. 1480–1500 ... A Franciscan monk wrote in the 1340s how terrible and fierce the Swiss, armed with halberds, were at the Battle of Morgarten.
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The halberd is a two-handed polearm weapon that came into prominent use between the 14th and 16th centuries. It begam as a two-eyed axe, and changed in ...
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Aug 1, 2022 · The wielded halberds, large two-handed swords called Zweihanders, and iconic one-handed swords known as Katzbalgers.
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It is a ceremonial version of the practical polearm weapons that were in use two hundred years earlier. The red wool tassel here acts as insignia and decoration ...
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Pole-axe, or Halbert, (fr. haillebarde): the axe with a long pole, often called the halbert or halberd. It was used by the men at arms in processions and on ...
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This is a replica of a classic Halberd from the late 15th to early 16th century. This example has a slanted cutting edge, stout back spike with a chisel point.
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Find the best Pole Weapons for HEMA and Historical Fencing practice | Free Shipping to Ireland, €10 flat rate for UK | Rated 4.9.
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Outfit4Events: Everything for fencing, LARP, Cosplay & history fans. Discover our wide range of replica weapons, armour, costumes & accessories.
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