Boarding pike

1850–1860

Place madeUnited States, North America

Steel, iron

Overall: 1 3/8 × 25 5/8 × 4 5/8 in. (3.5 × 65.1 × 11.7 cm)

Gift of Charles MacCauley

1922.129

Boarding pikes were used as weapons aboard warships from the 16th into the 20th century. They were used offensively, in boarding an enemy ship, and also to repel invaders. According to the donor, this pike was ordered by John Brown for his 1859 raid on the Federal Arsenal at Harpers Ferry.

Markingsstamped: near center on reverse(?) side: "U. S."

ClassificationsMILITARY TOOLS & EQUIPMENT: SWORD

DescriptionBoarding pike with straight, triangular steel blade welded to cast iron hilt with cross quillons and hollow conical grip pierced with two holes at the end.

Object NameBoarding pike