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One of a collection of mainly Turkish spear heads purchased near Marmaris some years ago, this French piece was part of the spoil divided up between the British and the Turks after the Battle of the Nile (1798). An extremely effective design, which may have also served to arm the French Revolutionary levies in 1793/4. The overall length is 37cms. The pikes of the Committee of Public Safety were based on this design, but with much longer blades. This is now mounted on a modern piece of wood, which has been sawn off, and there are the remains of the sidestraps to the pike head. The edge of one of the blades is somewhat corroded with age and wear. There is a lead Turkish cultural export permit seal with 'M' on one side for Marmaris and 'EX' on the other. |