Halberd
Unknown Artist
early 16th century
Medium
Steel, wood (oak)
Dimensions
L. 89 1/4 in. (226.6 cm); L. of head 18 3/8 in. (46.6 cm); W. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm); Wt. 4 lbs. 13 oz. (2180 g)
Classification
Shafted Weapons
Culture
German
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Alan Rutherfurd Stuyvesant, 1954
Accession Number
54.46.17
Art Historical Context
This imposing German halberd from the early 16th century exemplifies the pinnacle of Renaissance weaponry craftsmanship. Crafted from a sturdy oak shaft measuring nearly 7.5 feet long and a forged steel head combining an axe blade, spear point, and rear hook, it weighs just over 4 pounds—balanced for both thrusting power and agile swings. The head alone spans 18 inches wide, designed for versatility on the battlefield. Halberds like this were iconic among German Landsknecht mercenaries and Swiss pikemen, who revolutionized infantry tactics during the Italian Wars (1494–1559). The weapon's mul...