15th century poleaxe, semi-sharp

Product description

This halberd is based on 16th century originals. The open axehead keeps the weight down. It's ideal for 16th century costumes.

The halberd features a long wooden shaft with an iron point, an axe, and a hook underneath. Contrary to popular belief, the hook wasn't designed to increase wounds — it was used to block or trap enemy weapons.

The length of the shaft let a halberdier strike more powerfully than a sword. The weapon excelled in attack, especially against horsemen, but was less effective in defense. Skulls found on battlefields like Wisby (1361) and Towton (1461) show the devastating effect of a halberd blow — many were completely split.

When firearms arrived, the halberd disappeared from the battlefield. It survived in ceremonial use, though. The most famous example is the Swiss Guard in Vatican City, who still carry halberds today, even though they no longer use them in combat.