[Reece Nelson]

Hello all,

Recently I've been searching a pole axe and I came across this site that has a VERY nice Bec DE Corbin for sale.

http://www.arms-armor.com/halberds-detail_398

I was wondering if this would pass for one used in the early 15th century, during the hundred years war. I've looked through lots of historical art and its difficult to see the details :/ This one that I selected is simpler then the other model they had, but I was wondering if this would be acceptable for 1415 and if not, then what would?

Thanks in advance
-Reece

[Matt Corbin]

Hi Reece,

I really can't answer whether that would be appropriate for 1415 or not. It is however a nice Bec de Corbin and I've been eying it for a while myself. I figure I should add a Bec to my collection at some point given my last name My only concern is that I know absolutely nothing about this company.

Lutel recently produced this VERY nice version:



More pictures here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.432301143490807.104431.145052628882328&type=1

They're a known quantity and seem to be pretty reliable at this point. Their stuff is also pretty much all custom so it might be worth seeing what they can do for you. It never hurts to ask anyway.

-Matt

[Chad Arnow]

That's the same company that made this review piece: http://www.myArmoury.com/review_ther_falc.html .

Granted, that's a different style of weapon and a review from quite a while ago, but it's an opinion on that maker nonetheless.

[Jeroen Averhals]

I have found a picture of a Bec de Corbin dated before 1409.
Getty Ms. Ludwig XV 13 36v - Fiore dei Liberi - Combat with Pollaxe
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Getty_...67742).jpg
I do not know if that style was used during the hundred years war.
I have Kasto's Bec de Corbin and Pole Axe.
Both weapons are light and well balanced.
All edges are semi sharp, not blunt enough to be used in reenactment, not sharp enough to cut.
The steel is rather soft and sharpens easily.
I was told the handles were made of wood. The grain on both is very good.
Email replies are very fast.

[Reece Nelson]

Looking through the historical art and fight manuels you will see a lot of bec de corbin in that style, which is far simpler then the one that I originally posted :P

That one I posted, seems to be the style of the late 15th century. I've looked through a lot of Talhoffer's fight manual and can document that style being used often.

The earlier bec de corbins are VERY simple compared to the later ones and seem to follow more of a curvature shape with the head.

-Reece