A Revolutionary War-era boarding pike head

M ELEY · 27th October 2025, 10:39 PM

I managed to procure this recently from an online auction. There was very little information provided, but I recognized the 'leaf form' pattern immediately and took a chance. This item does fit the pattern of a boarding pike of the period. As a matter of fact, one almost identical example to mine is pictured in Gilkerson's 'Boarders Away' pg 52 color plate. See also Neumann's 'Swords & Blades of the American Revolution', 108PA. 128PA for similar examples.

The head measures 8" with the socket, which is a closed socket without any pinning hole, very typical of colonial American blacksmith work.

M ELEY · 27th October 2025, 11:05 PM

Trying again with the pics-

Jim McDougall · 31st October 2025, 11:03 PM

This is an outstanding piece!!! and as you say, little info provided, which is likely because few people have any idea of the particulars of these items. Thankfully you DO!!! and the resources you have cited are the only ones I have for more info.

As I know little on these types of items, the questions I would ask are , why the broad leaf pattern? I had thought boarding pikes had narrower blades,.
Like many naval weapons it seems the period of use had long span, is there a set range of use for this type? was it peculiar to British (thus colonial) use or were these leaf types also to other nations navy's?

It would be interesting to look for art work that depicts these or similar types in use!

The game's afoot!!!!

M ELEY · Yesterday, 06:43 AM

Hello Jim and thanks for responding. Sorry, I was away from the Forum for a bit. Apparently, there were two types of boarding pike heads used during the American Revolution by the colonists. One was indeed the one you mention, the long 'spike' type with 4 sided blade. But just as popular for whatever reason was the leaf pattern, as this one I posted. Neumann shows several very distinct patterns of these in 'Swords & Blades of the American Revolution.' By the time of the War of 1812, the leaf patterns had become quite elongated and now a shorter 4-sided spike head was introduced. This latter pattern would basically remain the type seen after the Federalist Period until the eventual removal of the pike from ship's armament stores at the end of the 19th c.

Good idea about the artwork of the period as well. I'll have to keep an eye out!

27th October 2025, 10:39 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,206	A Revolutionary War-era boarding pike head I managed to procure this recently from an online auction. There was very little information provided, but I recognized the 'leaf form' pattern immediately and took a chance. This item does fit the pattern of a boarding pike of the period. As a matter of fact, one almost identical example to mine is pictured in Gilkerson's 'Boarders Away' pg 52 color plate. See also Neumann's 'Swords & Blades of the American Revolution', 108PA. 128PA for similar examples. The head measures 8" with the socket, which is a closed socket without any pinning hole, very typical of colonial American blacksmith work. Attached Images Last edited by M ELEY; 27th October 2025 at 10:53 PM.

27th October 2025, 11:05 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,206	more pics Trying again with the pics- Attached Images Last edited by M ELEY; 28th October 2025 at 05:50 AM.

31st October 2025, 11:03 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	This is an outstanding piece!!! and as you say, little info provided, which is likely because few people have any idea of the particulars of these items. Thankfully you DO!!! and the resources you have cited are the only ones I have for more info. As I know little on these types of items, the questions I would ask are , why the broad leaf pattern? I had thought boarding pikes had narrower blades,. Like many naval weapons it seems the period of use had long span, is there a set range of use for this type? was it peculiar to British (thus colonial) use or were these leaf types also to other nations navy's? It would be interesting to look for art work that depicts these or similar types in use! The game's afoot!!!!

Yesterday, 06:43 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,206	Hello Jim and thanks for responding. Sorry, I was away from the Forum for a bit. Apparently, there were two types of boarding pike heads used during the American Revolution by the colonists. One was indeed the one you mention, the long 'spike' type with 4 sided blade. But just as popular for whatever reason was the leaf pattern, as this one I posted. Neumann shows several very distinct patterns of these in 'Swords & Blades of the American Revolution.' By the time of the War of 1812, the leaf patterns had become quite elongated and now a shorter 4-sided spike head was introduced. This latter pattern would basically remain the type seen after the Federalist Period until the eventual removal of the pike from ship's armament stores at the end of the 19th c. Good idea about the artwork of the period as well. I'll have to keep an eye out!