Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a fantastic and rare English Sergeant’s Spontoon polearm spearhead, bearing the CROWN / AR Royal Cypher of Queen Anne (1702 – 1714) on both sides of the spear head. While sometimes effective at removing an opposing soldier from his horse, the spontoon pole arm was not so much a weapon as it was a sign of rank used by Sergeants and other N.C.O.s. This was a tradition dating back hundreds of years before the introduction of firearms. Its real purpose in combat was to show the soldiers “on the line” where their commander was in all the smoke and confusion. Often standing seven or eight feet tall it was easily identified by the men in that unit.
This spearhead measures 13″ in length and shows substantial wear, and includes both the head and the fitting that would be on the end of the spontoon. It looks like it was originally at least an inch longer, however it is now well over 300 years old, with a great patina. Even so, the Queen Anne cypher is still clear and unmistakable. There are also other designs, such as crossed swords and a coat of arms on the bottom of the spearhead.
The spearhead has been fitted to a very nice wooden display stand, and overall measures 18 inches in height. Very rare and perfect for display!