War hammer, horseman's pick, 16th century, semi-sharp

Product description

The war hammer is a replica of a 16th-century German original. This type of war hammer is also known as a horseman's pick, as it was highly effective against armoured cavalry. War hammers of this kind appeared in the second half of the 15th century and were mainly employed in Italy, France, and Germany.

The weapon featured a hammerhead with a long spike, similar to a miner's pick, capable of piercing armour where a sword would fail. Variants such as the Polish nadziak and the English horseman's pick were popular amongst cavalry, notably during the Hundred Years' War. Its advantages were power and armour-piercing capability; its disadvantages included weight, awkward handling, and the risk of the spike becoming lodged. Nevertheless, a single blow could shatter a helmet or breastplate and incapacitate an opponent.

In the 16th century, horseman's picks also became status symbols, often decorated with patterns or monograms. However, with the rise of firearms, they gradually lost their practical use. In Hungary, they remained in use for a short time, but by the 17th century, they had been completely replaced by the bayonet.

The replica horseman's pick has been crafted in the stylised form of a fist gripping a dagger. It was likely utilised primarily for decorative or ceremonial purposes.