Officer's spontoon, English (c 1760)

Title	Officer's spontoon
Nationality	English
Period	c 1760

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This weapon was carried as a mark of rank by junior infantry officers throughout the middle and later years of the 18th century, ceasing in the 1780s after the English experience in the American wars, when it was realised how impractical they were in the field. Its overall length is just over 7'.

There are iron straps on the ash shaft to protect the tip of the weapon from sword cuts or bayonet thrusts. From the tip of the blade to the base of the straps is 26.5" long. The straps are held by a series of five rivets, which have been polished flush with the surface of the straps. The blade unscrews for ease and convenience of transport and there is some lettering on one of the straps, very faint, but it seems to be 'PP ET R'. The ironwork has been carefully cleaned by hand and there is some patination remaining rather more on one side of the straps than on the other.

There is some slight distortion of the shaft through age, but miraculously there is no woodworm. There is a small split at the base on one side and some minor bruising in this area.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Edged Weapons : Polearms : English : 18th Century]

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