THIRTY YEARS' WAR POLEARM

North European (German/Dutch) C.1618-48. Blacksmith made, 17" height with central medially ridged spear blade and S for cross bar, alternating terminals flat on one side and ridged the other. Conical socket with pin mount holes. Stable excavated condition. One of the hundreds of thousands of weapons made for what was the most destructive war in European history. Thousands of villages were entirely destroyed and estimates of Germany’s population decrease approach 40% with 75% and more in isolated areas. Decades of famine and disease resulted. Every one was involved and weapons such as this produced to arm peasants and mercenaries. Few only survive due to their simplicity and the need for reforging them into tools after the war.