Hi guys,

I'm trying to explain to a friend of mine what warhammers and pollaxes were really like (the D&D perception of a warhammer as a sledgehammer's cousin still prevails, unfortunately).

I was hoping that the Royal Armouries, the Tower collection, or the Wallace collection had some online galleries that I could use, but, apparently, they don't.

If anybody knows of some decent pictures of 15th-century hafted weapons (including, but not limited to, warhammers and pollaxes), I would appreciate it greatly.

Thanks,
Jeremiah

PS- I've already contemplated sending some pics of Lutel or A&A reproductions, but my point would be much more authoratative if I can point to a period original.

Hi,

Take a look at the photo album gallery section (antique arms and armor) : there's some pictures of hafted weapons.

Cheers,

David

Here's a period illustration of pollaxes (from Talhoffer):

http://mhewer.club.fr/Library/Talhoffer/kamp0283.jpg

You may want to explain to him that this was very fast staff fighting where the staves had specialized heads for dealing with plate armour.