Above is the US Navy Federal Period Early 19th Century Type III Boarding Pike Offered For Sale.
Above photos show closeups of the US Navy early model Type III Boarding Pike Regulation 4-sided spike head which was consistently used and adopted from about 1797 thru the 1860s till the end of the Civil War. It is not clear if boarding pikes were still issued as part of ships inventory after the Civil War and the age of iron ships during the 1870s tothe Spanish American War in the 1890s, however although there is some ad hoc inconclusive evidence they were.
More close up photos of the Type III Spike head and langets with wooden haft or stave.
More close up photos of the Type III Spike head and langets with wooden haft or stave.
For comparison purposes the above photo shows two mid-19th century 86" full length unrestored regulation models and the early 19th century half-length or 3/4 58" earlier model being offered for sale. The earlier century half length model is virtually identical to the later model Type IIIs. The earlier model features the regulation 17" 4 sided spike head, regulation length langets, and 58" straight wooden haft or stave which at some point has been cut down to its current length.
Historical and Informational Purposes Only:
Photo to the left shows part of the antique naval collection at The Pirates Lair: Note the 5 boarding pikes on the wall above the racks of naval cutlasses - Not shown are two 19th Century US Navy Type III boarding pikes ca 1860s Civil War era.
Photo to the right illustrates British sailors demonstrating how in proper drill practice how boarding pikes were used as defensive weapons against attacking boarders. The manner in which the British seamen employed the boarding pike cannot be much different than how American sailors used them as well.
Also a curious note is how the British sailors have the boarding axes attached to their backs, "jammed in the belt swashbuckling" for the disciplined British Royal Navy sailors!
Prior to the advent of a rapid firing pistol or rifle the Boarding Pike was used to effectively repel boarders as they were climbing up the side of a wooden hull or swinging into the raised defensive protective netting.
The major differences between a standard infantry spear or cavalry lance is that the boarding pike's total length of about 7' to 8' was a bit shorter than its cousins which were typically 9' and longer.
The naval boarding pikes spike or blade itself was also thinner or slimmer than the spear or lance, and did not have any projections and was seamlessly smooth where it was fastened onto wooden shaft or haft. This was necessary so that the blade or spike could work its way through and not get caught up into any of the protective netting, associated rigging, any downed rope or canvas sail.
We here at The Pirates Lair utilize and refer to the fantastic work found in the reference guide "Boarders Away" by William Gilkerson. While we have added to our knowledge due to hands on experience with these boarding pikes and similar sea service weapons, we have never found Gilkerson to be wrong, ever.
| Rare chance to own an authentic piece of Naval History! Authentic early to mid 19th Century War of 1812 era restored Half-Length 58" US Navy Type III Boarding Pike with Regulation 4-sided pike head, langets, straight shaft or haft. Both the early and later models of Boarding Pikes were simultaneously used until inventory of the earlier models were depleted. - Museum quality specimen. |
 Click Thumbnail Photo For Full Size Photos and More Information! US Navy Type III |
58" 3/4 Pike | SOLD! |
540 659 6209 |
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