STAND FAST AND DEPLOY HALBARDS!

Epic Armoury’s Soldier's Halberd is a 190 cm latex poleaxe inspired by a weapon used during the late medieval period. The Halberd’s axe-like head has a 36 cm blade for chopping, a long spear for piercing, and a claw-like spike for grappling. The axe head is specially reinforced to make the weapon durable and versatile. Handpainted and sculpted to appear realistic, detailed metal and bolts run along the pole, with a sheen that makes it appear like polished steel.

Made from durable closed-cell foam around a fiberglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your kit.

HISTORY

The Halberd (also called halbert, Swiss voulge, or Halbard) is a weapon that was prominent during the 14th and 15th centuries. The term comes from the German words Halm (staff) and Barte (axe). Generally measuring between 1.7 and 2 meters in length, the halberd was typically designed to keep mounted troops at a distance but was considered versatile. Halberdiers often added spikes to the hammer’s head to grapple mounted opponents. 

It was first mentioned by the German poet Konrad von Würzburg in the 13th century. Considered a new weapon by John of Winterthur, it was used by the Swiss at the Battle of Morgarten in 1315. 

It became the main weapon of the Swiss army throughout the 14th and early 15th centuries. The weapon was developed over the years, notably by adjusting its point to better cope with spears and pikes while still being able to repel horsemen. This allowed the Swiss army to distinguish itself in many battles thanks to well-tried strategies. In addition to halberds, Swiss soldiers used swords or daggers for close combat. 

Famous Victims

It went down in history as the weapon that dealt the fatal blow to Charles the Bold (also called Charles the Hardy or Charles the Hardworking) Duke of Burgundy in a battle near Nancy in 1477, bringing a decisive end to the Burgundian wars that were raging on French territory.

Charles the Bold would not have been the only famous victim of the Halberd, Richard III would have according to certain theories advanced by researchers had the back of the skull cut by a Halberd during the battle of Bosworth

Characteristics

• Strong latex coating with a round fiberglass core
• Strong Kevlar core tip protection
• Made from durable closed-cell foam that does not shred
• High safety, approved by the top organizations

All latex-coated weapons need a certain degree of maintenance. For this, we recommend using Epic Armoury maintenance silicone, which can be purchased separately in the LARP Accessories section. Epic Armoury Maintenance Silicone is an easy, spray-on application, 100% pure and acid-free making it safe to apply. We recommend using Maintenance Silicone on a regular basis. It maintains the latex coat’s flexibility and prevents it from drying out, keeping the product wear and tear-resistant.

Store your latex weapons flat or on its pommel--NEVER on its tip. Use a simple sheet or towel lining to prevent it from touching a plastic or rubber surface to prevent your weapon from adhering to other products. Keep your weapons in a cool, dry environment.