Pole arm with sun, moon and stars makers stamps.

[fernando]

... And the pictures, Bob .

[Jim McDougall]

From what I can see, this seems to be a 'glaive', a blade on a polearm, and for some reason this actually seems Chinese, perhaps its the character of the tip.
The grouping of markings appear to be applied as a 'quality' imbuement, but more an incongruent assembly of unassociated marks.

The sun and moon were often used on European blades of the 18th c. in cosmological themes supposed to carry talismanic imbuement. The grouping of stars resembles the Schimmelbusch firm of 19th c. in degree, the crossed axes I am unsure of at the moment.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

From what I can see, this seems to be a 'glaive', a blade on a polearm, and for some reason this actually seems Chinese, perhaps its the character of the tip.

Design and construction aren't close to any glaive I've seen, Chinese, European, or otherwise.

How secure is the socket-to-shaft attachment? Like with a cross pin or rivet?
A flensing knife used by whalers comes to mind, but that's just an off-the-cuff impression of mine. (It's been decades since I've read Moby-Dick which comprises most of my limited grasp of the topic.

[BlackcapBob]

Thanks Jim and Philip for your comments.

The blade is secured to the shaft by rivets and a slot head screw all very secure. The end of the shaft has a metal cap attached to protect the shaft end.

I have Stone's glossary but couldn't find anything that matched the blade, that's probably why I didn't call it a Glaive and stuck with Pole arm.

Cheers Bob

[Philip]

Originally Posted by BlackcapBob

.

The blade is secured to the shaft by rivets and a slot head screw all very secure. The end of the shaft has a metal cap attached to protect the shaft end.



Cheers Bob

Thanks, Bob, for the additional pics. Are those straps physically attached to the socket? They look separate in the photo but with the piece in hand, you might see differently.

What strikes me as odd about the attachment is that on the socket, we see a rather industrial-looking domed headed slot screw in a countersunk hole. A modern addition? But there are rivets on the straps, with what appear to be square escutcheons that look like archaic nuts.

In handling a lot of early European polearms, I generally see the straps integral with the socket or shank of the blade. But of course there are exceptions to every rule.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Philip

Design and construction aren't close to any glaive I've seen, Chinese, European, or otherwise.

How secure is the socket-to-shaft attachment? Like with a cross pin or rivet?
A flensing knife used by whalers comes to mind, but that's just an off-the-cuff impression of mine. (It's been decades since I've read Moby-Dick which comprises most of my limited grasp of the topic.

Thats really an interesting observation Philip! and while I know little about the whaling trade, it does seem a pretty gruesome business in butchering an animal of that size. I believe Melville described this process in "Moby Dick", but I honestly never read it.
There is an entire panoply of tools used in this, and it seems there are some long hafted types using blades of somewhat similar blade form.

What leads me away from the whaling implement thought is the application of these markings, which seem more attuned to the talismanic (or so thought) character of thier presence. These notions I dont think were used in the same manner on tools and utilitarian implements.

[fernando]

I would also (humbly) go for the weapon possibility.
One thing that i would like to have clarified is the reason for that slot head screw on the socket, while this is already secured by the riveted langets; as if the socket was not welded to the said langets and could be (easily) disassembled without them .

[Jim McDougall]

Interesting and astute observation on the slot screw on the socket which seems attached 'over' the riveted langets, Fernando.

The blade form and being attached on a 'pole' is what made me think of the Japanese (and Chinese) 'naginata, though the curious blade markings and unusual fullers made me think European.

The squared rivet heads on the langets resemble European types and arrangement, much as on many lances.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

The blade form and being attached on a 'pole' is what made me think of the Japanese (and Chinese) 'naginata, though the curious blade markings and unusual fullers made me think European.

The blade details (look also at cross-section, bevels, and the manner of fullering) are distinctly different between this, and the Asiatic examples you cite. Close (in profile) to be sure, but not a cigar. Also, the piece under consideration has a socket and langet attachment, not seen on the Oriental weapons which invariably feature a tang attached in a slot in the shaft by a couple of cross pins or rivets, and reinforced on the outside by a ferrule and hoops.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

What leads me away from the whaling implement thought is the application of these markings, which seem more attuned to the talismanic (or so thought) character of thier presence. These notions I dont think were used in the same manner on tools and utilitarian implements.

In some parts of Europe, in pre-industrial times, cutting tools for domestic and craft uses were often deeply marked with punched-in stamps. The Germanic countries were well known for this. Of course, what is really talismanic as opposed to a trademark, or a traditional design popular in the folk memory, is open to interpretation

[fernando]

There are weapons, though not so many, in that the blade is separated from the pole for easier transport... or blade integrity. Still it would be more improbable that the (this) socketed blade, when mounted, joined a pole reinforced with its own straps. Yet even more improbable, but possible, would be that the two parts did not belong to each other in the first place.
At this stage it would be vital to hear from Bob, over yet another chance in that the blade is a detachable part and the modern screw is there to prevent the blade from falling off.

[Victrix]

Although it can’t be ruled out to be a tool (perhaps supported by the crossed ax symbol), the presence of langets, fullers and the sun, moon and star symbol suggest it’s a polearm. Although langets are often said to prevent opponents from cutting off the poles, I think an important function is to prevent the blade from twisting around the pole end in the heat of the battle which would be frustrating and dangerous for the wielder.