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Confederate Bayonet Pike


GeneralLucas
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Yesterday, I obtained this pike from a local man who found it in an attic of an old house in Texas. I have seen two of these in auctions over a period of time. One auction gave a reference to a book showing these pikes by an author by the name of Brown published in 1967, page 119, plate 100 but I do not have this reference. Any information on this pike would be of help. The overall length is slightly over 25 inches.

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Yes, this is a legitimate Confederate pike and is listed in Brown's book on Polearms. I have a full length version of this pike made with a Confederate bayonet blade. These distinctive pikes were made with blades from socket bayonets that were probably broken or for which the armorer had no corresponding muskets/rifles. They were mounted on available tool handles and were issued out to rear echelon CS troops that did not have firearms. They were universally despised but are legitimate CS pikes.

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Gen Luc,

What a great find . I would have to say rare and with a story also. It would be neat If you could find out the house where it was found and research the original owners ot see if the family had any ties to the Civil war. That is a way long shot ,but what the heck. Not to hi-jack the thread but Bill, do they show any pikes without the bridle cutters in the book that you posted as shown below

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Very informative and interesting thread.

 

When you say bridle cutters does that imply that they were used against cavalry ?

 

Very cool weapons reminiscent of an earlier time.

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  • 2 years later...
houston1852

I know this is an old thread but Mitch, from what I can see yours looks like a Richmond pike to me...

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I know this is an old thread but Mitch, from what I can see yours looks like a Richmond pike to me...

 

 

It is an old post but I think you are correct houston.

 

This pike is shown in Brown on page 131 as a "Richmond pike" without the hook. And, manayunkman asks about hook use... yes, the hook was provided to Infantry pikes for use against cavalry.

 

Bear in mind that some pikes other than "Richmond pikes" were made with brass cap-ferrules so it is difficult to identify the local Confederate makers.

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suwanneetrader

I thought some might like to see another example that was found in an old warehouse on the waterfront that the Savannah Port Authority took over. I bought from the daughter of a Port Authority Supt ( not sure of his title) who got it about 1946. Also ref page from same Polearm book. Richard

 

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