Tag: ranseur

Ranseur: A 15th-Century Polearm That Looks like a Trident
The ranseur, a large polearm with three blades, was employed as a backup to the pike in infantry squares in the 15th century. The ranseur’s center blade was usually rather long and occasionally huge in the form of the ox tongue spear, while the two flanking blades were variable in length and shape as they branched out from the central blade’s conical gorge. The ranseur is most often confused with the brandistock, a short pole weapon with three blades. Typically, a ranseur was taller than six feet.
Ranseur
Type of weapon: Polearm
Other names: Roncone
Origin: Corsica Island, Middle Ages weaponry
Utilization Infantry and ceremonial
Length: 70–120″ (1.8–3 m)
Weight: 3.3–4.8 lbs (2–2.2 kg)
The Purpose of Its Crescent Crossguard
In military history, this edged weapon is believed to have originated in Italy, just like many other medieval weapons. And it became widespread in the 16th and 17th centuries. The crossguard of this polearm generally lacked blades, as its purpose was to block enemy weapons.
On occasion, the crossguard could be folded back—like a corseque—allowing its ends to function as hooks for grappling with opponents, such as dismounting riders from their horses. Most ranseurs produced for battle typically measured 70 inches (1.8 m) in length or longer.
Ranseur’s Origin
Warrior with a ranseur. Watercolor, 1575. (Universiteitsbibliotheek UGent, CC BY-SA 4.0)
The word “ranseur” comes from French, which in turn originated from Corsica, the Romance language spoken on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. This weapon is sometimes confused with the corseque in terminology.
The central blade of this weapon was often longer and sharper than that of its “cousin” pole weapons, the partisan and corseque. The ranseur is mistakenly known as “roncone,” which looks more like a guisarme than anything else.
The ranseur’s head is a spear’s tip with a cross hilt attached to its base, and it is widely believed that this design is a direct descendant of the older spetum. This hilt is often crescent-shaped, making the weapon seem like a trident.
The ranseur is sometimes lumped in with other poled weapons by the most simplistically placed in the ranks of “spears” without any differentiation of excellence, unlike weapons with better-known histories like the halberd or the partisan.
The crescent hilt of the ranseur makes it look like a trident.
Italian linguists like to take a very straightforward approach to categorizing weaponry. The entry for the ranseur weapon in the fourth edition of the Vocabulary of the Academicians of the Crusca is a good example of this:
“Spices of arms, in a rod similar to the pike. Lat. pilum [a Roman javelin].”
The Vocabulary of the Academicians of the Crusca, by Bastiano De’ Rossi, edition 4, p. 464
The ranseur was a polearm weapon used for thrusting attacks. It developed from the estoc sword, which infantry armies used in the 14th and 15th centuries to pierce the heavy armor of enemy knights.
During the evolution from one-handed thrusting weapons to two-handed polearms, a notable transformation occurred with the introduction of the spetum—a variant of the ranseur featuring a shorter handle, roughly equivalent in length to the metal part.
Most ranseurs were typically 6 feet (1.8 m) or longer.
The triple tines (prongs or teeth) on a ranseur are ideal for warding off an armored foe at a safe distance. They are a unique characteristic that connects this melee weapon to the specialized hunting spears (Lat. venabulum) that have been employed since the Carolingian Dynasty (7th century) to kill large animals (see boar spear).
8 feet (244 cm) in length, c. 1540, Italian. (Image: Metmuseum)
So, the ranseur is a cross between a spetum and a pike, a deadly weapon meant to kill the most formidable “prey” of all: the heavily armored horse-riding European knights.
Ranseur’s History
During the early 16th century, the ranseur rose in prominence among the Life Guards, and by the latter half of the century, it had become widely adopted as a ceremonial weapon. This cold weapon was particularly popular among Italian, Spanish, Swiss, and German infantry troops throughout its history.
The European infantrymen clearly used the ranseur to attack from a distance and keep the enemy at bay. The pike, on the other hand, was designed to either impale the opponent or to form a wall of metal spikes that drove the adversary away.
A 16th-century Italian creation, 97 in (246 cm) in length.
The ranseur was used to strike repeatedly at the enemy in order to move it or weaken it. With this trident-like spear in hand, the infantryman was able to perform a kind of fencing:
“RANSEUR. Polearms that resemble pikes but have a shorter handle and a longer shaft, looking somewhat like a long sword [see spadone] perched on a staff.”
Italian Military Dictionary by Giuseppe Grassi, p. 286
Already in the 17th century, the ranseur had become a ceremonial weapon, or at least one destined for specialized training in guardhouses, despite having been used in the field as early as the 15th century.
A 16th-century Italian creation.
In a battlefield dominated by the “Pike and Shot” battle tactics (which involved using firearms alongside long pikes or spears) of the Spanish tercios (military units), which was destined to develop into the “regimental” system introduced by the Swedes at the close of the Thirty Years War, the stationed fencing tactic of the ranseur was eventually pushed aside.
The weapon was particularly popular among Italian, Spanish, Swiss, and German infantry troops.
On the other hand, the ranseur saw extensive use during the Republic of Venice’s Cretan War (1645–1669) with the Ottoman Empire. The conflict ended after a very long siege by the Turks against the whole Venetian defenses on the island of Crete.
Elaborate ceremonial variants with gilded blades and handles adorned with silk can be found in the collections of Vienna and Madrid. Notably, these ceremonial ranseurs feature a design that allows not only the shaft but also the lateral blades to be folded.
The Use of the Ranseur
Various attacks can be executed with this polearm, such as:
1. Using it like a conventional spear for straightforward thrusts.
2. Employing lateral strikes with the side blades of the main spear to deliver cutting blows.
3. Diverting or disarming enemy weapons by employing the side branches (slats).
4. Hooking and unbalancing adversaries, leading to their overthrow and potential dismounting from horseback, using the side branches.
In contrast to the double-edged partisan, most ranseur hilts did not include a cutting edge. But the weapon could still be used to trap an opponent’s weapon below the main blade, where pressure could be applied from a distance with a simple twist of the shaft, or to dismount a mounted opponent.
This polearm had a number of benefits as an infantry weapon. Thanks to the weapon’s long shaft, the foot troops could attack from a distance while still keeping control. In order to grab and disable an opponent’s weapon, or possibly disarm them entirely, the three-bladed head was often useful.
The weapon could be used both for trusting and slashing.
Infantrymen armed with this weapon could use its sharp blades to slash through armor and thrust their opponents where they were weak. The weapon’s prongs were useful for thrusting strikes, either because they could break through armor joints or because they expanded the weapon’s hitting surface.
The weapon could be used for either slicing or thrusting because of its design and balance. The prongs of this weapon could be used to seize and grip an opponent’s weapon or armor, rendering them helpless and making them easier to disarm. When fighting on a horse, this could be a huge advantage.
The weapon was particularly useful against foot soldiers since the rider could utilize the horse’s motion as leverage to throw off the target’s balance or seize control of them.
The weapon remained a popular choice especially among the Swiss weapons and the German polearms in Renaissance warfare.
The Construction of the Ranseur
Among the historical polearms, the ranseur is an offshoot of the spetum and consists of the following:
- A head made of metal, gorged like a pyramid, tapers to a long, sharp middle blade (which is sometimes called an “ox tongue”).
- Two metal projections emerge from this gorge; one resembles a fork, while the other may have been interpreted as a blade.
- Some examples have lateral prongs so thin and projecting parallel to the center tooth that the weapon can be considered a true battle trident.
- All ranseurs have a large wooden shaft, on par with that of a halberd or glaive.
References
The Italian ranseur in the featured image: BRANDISTOCCO – Lotsearch.net
Italian Military Dictionary – Giuseppe Grassi – Google Books
Vocabulary of the Academicians of the Crusca, by Bastiano De’ Rossi – Google Books
European Weapons and Armour: From the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution – Ewart Oakeshott – Google Books
May 23, 2023

Spontoon: A 17th-Century Pike in American History

The spontoon (or “half-pike”) was a pole weapon that often exceeded 80 inches (2 m) in length and sported a sharp tip with an inverted crossguard. In certain variations, the spontoon looks just like a partisan, which is an entirely different type of weapon in terms of its shape and design. The second part of the 17th century saw the introduction of spontoons and newer infantry combat tactics. This cold weapon gained popularity and widespread use throughout Europe in the subsequent centuries, remaining in use until the 19th century as one of the most commonly used pike weapons.

The name comes from the French word esponton, which in the Middle Ages meant dagger.

Spontoon
Type of weapon:	Polearm
Other names:	Half-pike, Ceremonial spear
Origin:	Italy, Middle Ages
Utilization	Infantry and ceremonial
Total length:	80–100 inches (2–2.5 m)
Weight:	2.2–2.65 lb (1–1.2 kg)

Initially, this weapon was always less than a cubit (18 inches) from the height of its user, although when it entered the official position, its measurement changed to 7 feet (2.10 m).

There are specimens from 72 to 95 inches (184 to 240 cm). The military spontoons were often 85 inches (215 cm) long and weighed 2.65 lb (1.2 kg), with a blade length of 15 inches (37 cm).

Spontoon vs. Ranseur vs. Partisan

Some alleged spontoons with their thick, triangular spearheads bear a striking resemblance to partisans. It seems that throughout history, there has been a perplexing mix-up in the nomenclature of these weapons.

The actual spontoons (the first one in the above image) sported a quadrangular or spherical spearhead with no lateral blades, and they look nothing like that aforementioned variant.

The aforementioned spontoons also look similar to the ranseur because of the blade’s tricuspid leaf. However, the distinctive feature of the ranseur’s three teeth coming from a single point makes it simple to distinguish between them.

According to the Italian Military Dictionary (1833) by Giuseppe Grassi:

Spontoon, derived from the French term “Esponton,” refers to rod weapons featuring a long quadrangular or round iron head that is relatively small but sharp at the tip. While it had some usage during chivalrous times [11th–15th centuries], it was not primarily employed as a battlefield weapon. However, modern armies reintroduced it in the 17th century, where it served as the weapon of choice for infantry officers until the late 18th century. Known as a half-pike in French, it measured eight feet in length. The spontoon gradually fell out of favor during the French Revolution. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the spontoon, along with other polearm weapons, occasionally played a role in the defensive tactics employed during sieges.
Italian Military Dictionary, Volumes 1–2 by Giuseppe Grassi, 1833.

Spontoon’s Design

Shaft

A spontoon with an elaborately etched broad blade and a crossbar at its base. (Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art)

A blade of iron or steel was fastened to a sturdy wooden shaft (pikestaff) to create the spontoon. All spontoons were built from durable and sturdy hardwoods.

This double-edged infantry weapon was pointed at one end with a thin but long iron blade that could be either square or rounded.

Almost all spontoons adorned a crossguard that was inverted at its tip. While the other variant with lateral blades usually had no crossguards and therefore looked more like a partisan.

In contrast to the pike, the spontoon was a weapon of more manageable proportions. At its longest, this polearm still measured less than 100 inches (250 cm).

Blade

spontoon, 1756-1762. — Spontoon, 1756-1762.

Confusion with the partisan weapon: Throughout history, there have been two distinct variations of the spontoon.

One variation resembles a partisan weapon (seen in the center of the above image), characterized by its elongated blade with lateral projections, while the actual spontoon (seen in the below image) bears a closer resemblance to a traditional spear.

The real spontoon (above) has a broad and spherical spearhead with a crossguard inverted at the tips. The other “alleged” spontoon with lateral blades does not have a crossguard.

In this lateral-bladed version, the blade begins as a metal cone and gradually flattens into a half-disc shape. The blade’s central, thick portion and its two lateral blades emerge from this disc.

The lateral blades, which may take the form of arched prongs, are noticeably shorter than the central blade. The main blade is pointed and lanceolate in cross-section and tapered on both sides.

In certain variations, the central flat portion of the blade is ingeniously designed to incorporate an axe blade, creating a hybrid structure that combines the functionalities of both a spontoon and an axe, making this weapon ideal for chopping (see: Bec de Corbin).

Spontoon’s History

Infantry officer with spontoon, 1756--1761. — Infantry officer with spontoon, 1756–1761.

During the Middle Ages, the spontoon was invented in Italy, just like many infantry spears and staff weapons. It was used to describe a type of spear in Italy during the 16th century and later referred to as a “half-pike” in France in the 17th century. These weapons, often adorned with coats of arms or monograms, were used as symbols of military prestige.

Swords with lances, spikes, or halberds were standard issues for officers, noncommissioned officers, and corporals in the 17th century. This gave rise to the spontoon, a weapon that was originally more for show than defense.

The linear tactics of the period necessitated that the infantry be kept in a straight line, and this polearm was used primarily to enforce this. Soldiers of the banner guard were commonly armed with such weapons because of their utility in repelling enemy cavalry.

A short history and the demonstration of the weapon.

During the time of Louis XIV (1638–1715), it was exclusively reserved for officers, serving as a military-grade weapon until the French Revolution in 1789. In Spain, the spontoon, along with other polearms, was utilized by infantry in the 16th century. Eventually, it became the exclusive weapon of officers, following the fashion set by Philip IV of Spain. The halberd was used by sergeants, while higher-ranking officers wielded the spontoon.

It was early American military equipment that belonged to 18th-century weaponry.

In most armies, noncommissioned officers and corporals no longer carried lances, spikes, or halberds by the end of the 18th century. After the Napoleonic Wars, the majority of armies only carried swords and sabers, with some commanders also carrying pistols if necessary or desired.

In Poland, it was used in the military under Saxon rule until the army reform by the Great Sejm in the late 18th century. In England, officers used it until 1786, and sergeants used it from 1792 to 1830. Sergeants in several different armies kept their spontoons around 1850, long after they had been phased out elsewhere.

The Functionality of the Spontoon

Spontoon, 1701 - 1750. — Spontoon, 1701 – 1750.

It served first as a defensive weapon during sieges to defend city walls and then as a ceremonial object. Infantry troops used it as a half-pike in the pikemen formations (“Pike and Shot”) that were the standard battlefield model at the time in the 17th century.

Pikemen with spontoons in square formations became the standard for city defense in this century, expanding the capabilities of infantry units. While their fellow soldiers transitioned from a column formation to a line formation, it was crucial that the men holding their posts did it successfully.

The weapon fell into disuse during the Napoleonic Wars.

In situations when forces had to change formations while under attack from the enemy, the spontoon proved vital, as its carriers in the rear lines were able to shield the troops in the front from the oncoming attacks.

The spontoon also gained popularity as a weapon for use on the high seas while approaching ships. Similar to the halberd and its variants in the British Army, this polearm remained in use as a weapon for infantry company commanders until almost the end of the 18th century.

potsdam-giants — Officers with spontoons ahead of the grenadiers. Carl Röchling’s Battle of Hohenfriedeberg painting, Attack of Prussian Infantry, June 4th, 1745, shows the Potsdam Giants Grenadier Guards Batallion.

This weapon was a characteristic weapon of noncommissioned officers that persisted until the 18th century, even as the bayonet superseded other bladed weapons on European battlefields.

The spontoon was first used in Prussia by King Frederick I (r. 1701–1713). However, its usage had been outlawed in some European countries, including Prussia, since 1806.

They were outlawed during the reign of Catherine the Great in Russia, reinstated under the reign of Paul I, then outlawed once again in 1807. The elimination of all polearms in the Prussian army marked the end of their usage. However, it actually fell into disuse during the Napoleonic Wars.

Several English noncommissioned officers utilized the spontoons at the Battle of Culloden (16 April 1746). Even during the Napoleonic Wars, sergeants relied primarily on this weapon to protect the battalion or regimental insignia against assaults by horsemen.

Spontoon in American History

The spontoon lasted in use long enough to make it into American history and join the Revolutionary War arms. During the Revolutionary War and the early years of the United States, this weapon was an important ceremonial and symbolic weapon. In the 1890s, active American troops were still using this polearm.

Commissioned officers were required to carry a spontoon, per the American Militia Acts of 1792. Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery voyage included the use of this weapon. The polearm served the Corps throughout their travels into bear territory.

The American officers in infantry units in the 18th century made extensive use of this two-handed spear. Officers carried these symbols of power to lead their men on the battlefield. Despite their lack of regular employment in battle, they were sometimes put to use in intense hand-to-hand combat.
This weapon had great symbolic and ceremonial significance in the American armed forces. On the battlefield, it served as a visible marker for troops to identify their superiors and as a symbol of the officer’s power and leadership.
The European military traditions, especially those of the British Army, affected the development of the American spontoon’s design. The American military later adopted and modified the weapon after first using it by British commanders stationed in the American colonies.
The polearm rose to prominence in history as a weapon used by commanders on both sides of the American Revolutionary War. Early American military forces like the Continental Army and state militias also made extensive use of it.

Today, the US Army’s Fife and Drum Corps use spontoons, one of the colonial military weapons, as a ceremonial weapon (also known as an espontoon).

Later, as warfare strategies and technology advanced, the weapon became obsolete in Europe and the United States. Its role on the battlefield shifted from that of a primary weapon to a more ceremonial one when guns (like muskets) and other innovations were introduced.

It was no longer issued to officers as a matter of course by the late 18th century, having given way to newer firearms.

Conclusion

Historical polearms like this hold great appeal for militaria collectors and military history enthusiasts alike, who find intrigue in acquiring and studying polearm replicas, gaining a deeper understanding of the weaponry used in historical conflicts.

Originally intended for close-range combat, the spontoon became primarily a rank badge for infantry officers. It was prominently used during battles to guide soldiers in maintaining lines, distances, and formations. Additionally, it served ceremonial purposes during parades and salutes, and even some palace guards wielded this polearm.

The Spontoon at a Glance

What is a spontoon?

The spontoon is a pole weapon that was commonly used in Europe from the 17th to the 19th centuries. It was a long polearm, often exceeding 80 inches in length, with a sharp tip and an inverted crossguard. Originally derived from the French term “Esponton,” it was primarily utilized by infantry officers and had both ceremonial and battlefield applications.

How did the spontoon differ from other weapons like the ranseur and partisan?

This weapon had some similarities to the ranseur and partisan, leading to confusion in the nomenclature. However, the distinct features of the real spontoon included a quadrangular or spherical spearhead with no lateral blades and an inverted crossguard at the tip. In contrast, the ranseur had three teeth coming from a single point, while the partisan had an elongated blade with lateral projections.

What was the role of the spontoon in military history?

This polearm served as a defensive weapon during sieges and was used in infantry formations during battles. It played a crucial role in maintaining straight lines and enforcing formations, particularly during the linear tactics of the 17th century. Additionally, the weapon had ceremonial significance and symbolized military prestige. Over time, its usage declined with the advent of newer firearms and changes in warfare strategies.

How did the spontoon find its place in American history?

The weapon made its way into American history during the Revolutionary War and the early years of the United States. Commissioned officers were required to carry a spontoon, and it became a symbol of power and leadership on the battlefield. It was also utilized ceremonially and had significance within the American armed forces. Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery expedition even included the use of these polearms during their travels.

What is the status of the spontoon today?

This weapon is now considered obsolete in modern warfare and is primarily of interest to militaria collectors and military history enthusiasts. However, it still holds ceremonial value in certain contexts. For example, the US Army’s Fife and Drum Corps use these spears as ceremonial weapons. Its historical significance and unique design continue to captivate those interested in studying and preserving military weaponry from the past.

References

Spontoon Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster – Accessed 22 May. 2023.
Lewis & Clark, Tailor Made, Trail Worn: Army Life, Clothing & Weapons of the Corps of Discovery – Google Books
Medieval Combat: A Fifteenth-century Illustrated Manual of Swordfighting and Close-quarter Combat – Hans Talhoffer, 1467 – Google Books
Uniforms of Russian army during the Napoleonic war vol.1: The Infantry Fusiliers, Grenadiers and Musketeers (Soldiers, Weapons & Uniforms) – Viskovatov, A.V., Cristini, Luca Stefano, Conrad, Mark: – Amazon.com: Books

May 22, 2023