Runka or Ranseur (polearm), Italian (c 1525)

Title	Runka or Ranseur (polearm)
Nationality	Italian
Period	c 1525

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This classic Italian (almost certainly made in the Veneto, Venice's hinterland) infantry polearm saw continuous use from the late 15th to early 17th century. Stone's Glossary shows five examples from the Metropolitan Museum. The Palazzo Ducale armoury in Venice has four. This is an earlier variant, the later ones having shorter blades.

This would have been carried, latterly, by palace guards and such like, but, in the earlier period, was used as a regular combat weapon, hence the surprisingly stout nature of the central blade, made very much in the manner of the sword blades of the period, ie of a heavy diamond section, sharply tapered.

It would have been mounted on an ash shaft with iron side straps. It is 67cm long and measures 21cm from tip to tip of the side guard. There is an old brazing repair at the base of the socket. It has suffered a little overcleaning on the side guards, but is generally in excellent shape for its age.

Of the two photos of the inside of the socket, one was taken with an ordinary torch shining down it (orange glow), while the other was taken with a small, rather ineffective LED light.

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[Edged Weapons : Polearms : Italian : 16th Century]

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