[Bas K.]

Recently I stumbled upon an article written on this site http://medieval.stormthecastle.com/the-myster...alberd.htm dealing with someone who found 2 Halberd heads on the attic of an old apartement building and is curious about their identity.
I tought it would be fun trying to uncover this, but it was harder than I tought.
I managed to come in contact with the owner and he gave me some more specific info about them:

They where found in: North adams, Ma, USA
They are both engraved with a number near where the shaft would be inserted, the first reading 3940, the other 3946 (wich lead me to believe it was mass produced).
What condition they where found in: he found them in a forgotten box, in the attic of an old apartment building. They where wrapped in plastic with a very heavy coating of oil (smelled liked old gun oil).

Judging from the pictures and the fact they are unsharpened I think they where made for decorative and/or ceremonial purpose.

Maybe someone can shed some more light on these Halberd heads.

[Sean Flynt]

To have matched and serial numbered heads would pretty much seal the case for these being modern (19th or early 20th c.) even if they didn't also share the same finish and cater to the 19th century taste for the more elaborate later arms. Their form is not more elaborate than some late halberds, which tended to be badges of (noncomissioned) rank rather than practical weapons. Technically, these probably are antique halberd heads, but I'd vote for 100 years old rather than 300 years old. Whatever their original purpose, they appear to be well made, with close attention to details such as the construction of the socket. Haft, `em up with big red tassles and they'd be nice decorative pieces. If they were mine and I could confirm that they're modern I might clean the main surfaces just enough to help the darker etching stand out.

[Bas K.]

[Sean Flynt]

The Playboys sound about right--dead center between1930s and 1970s medieval decorative crazes--I can picture these halberds in either the panneled library of a half-timber 1930s home or in a Spanish-themed living room ca. 1974--deep shag, wrought iron hanging lamps, lurid paintings, lots of brown and orange.

Oh, and one never knows what folks will throw out or abandon. A collector I know got a call one day notifying him that somebody's neighbor had just put a 19th century military sword on her trash pile for the city to take to the dump. The same collector had a standing offer of $100 for any sword--he got some junk, of course, but he also got some treasures.

[Christopher Gregg]

Sean Flynt wrote:

"The Playboys sound about right--dead center between1930s and 1970s medieval decorative crazes--I can picture these halberds in either the panneled library of a half-timber 1930s home or in a Spanish-themed living room ca. 1974--deep shag, wrought iron hanging lamps, lurid paintings, lots of brown and orange."



Eeewww! It's my stepfather's basement!

[Sean Flynt]

[Christopher Gregg]

I hear ya Sean.

I also have recollections from those times - I remember rummaging through junk shops looking at all this kind of stuff - the "iron-look" chandeliers, the fake swords, the matador paintings, etc. I guess it really helped me get into the hobby in a small way, too! Weird, but perhaps the "tastes" of the past can lead to greater things and an appreciation of history.

[Anders Backlund]