US NAVY TYPE III BOARDING PIKE – MARKED “USN” – IN
EXCELLENT CONDITION: This particular Boarding
Pike is a significant specimen as it is period marked
with a “U.S.N.” stamp on the haft.
This Type III Boarding Pike has survived the years in
excellent condition despite evidence that it was
subjected to use aboard ship.
The pike measures its
original length of 96” – never having been broken or
shortened. The iron head measures just over 17” long in
total length, including the attaching straps, and the
spike proper measures 7 ¼” long from the point to the
start of the swell which accommodates the haft. The
spike is four-sided with clean, square edges and the tip
retains its original taper with no sign it was ever
broken off and reshaped.
Two straps integral to, and
descending from, the spiked head capture the wood haft
and are secured with three iron rivets or screws. The
iron head is overall smooth with no significant pitting
and it has a very nice naturally aged color.
The original haft is stamped “U.S.N.” on one side
between the iron straps. There is also a stamped cipher,
“8” on both sides of the haft immediately below the
spike and between the two attaching straps, possibly
identifying the station aboard ship where this pike was
posted.
From the apparent wear and aging to the
characters of all three stampings, they were certainly
applied during the period of use.
The original haft is full
form with no damage or significant loss of wood, and the
desirable “ball” on the butt of the haft is present and
full form with no chips or cracks. The haft retains a
nice patinated finish with a surface smooth from
handling and a very attractive color. There are traces
of white paint present down in the wood grain which are
probably traces of the white lead paint applied aboard
ship as was the custom of the period of use of these
pikes.
While on occasion these Type III Boarding Pikes appear
on the market, it is unusual to find one with the
desirable US Navy mark which confirms it was used aboard
one of our men of war under sail. This is a very nice
example and one that will be an important addition to
your mid-nineteenth century US Navy display.
SOLD
NOTE ON SHIPPING: I have computed
the packing and shipping costs for this pike based on
shipping it via USPS. The packing – in a custom made
crate - and shipping costs for anywhere within the
continental United States will be at the most, $150
based on 2016 rates. In the event of a dramatic
increase in shipping costs, for which I have no control,
the costs will be adjusted accordingly. For what it’s
worth, I’m not adding any fees for the packing materials
or the time to prepare the pike for shipping. All in
all, I think that is more than reasonable.
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