French & Indian War Trench Spear (Spontoon), found in upstate New York

Being offered is a French & Indian War Spontoon or “Trench Spear”. The overall measurement is 11 1/2” with the blade being 2” wide. It would have taken a 1” wooden pole (haft). There is no exact location of where it was recovered, but only in upstate New York.

During the French and Indian War (1754–1763), the spontoon (or half-pike) and trench spear served two distinct roles: battlefield rank signaling and close-quarters defensive combat in field fortifications.

Shorter trench spears (often 5 to 6 feet long) were kept stockpiled along earthworks, redoubts, and fort parapets (such as Fort William Henry or Fort Ticonderoga). If enemy troops attempted to scale a trench wall, defenders used spears to thrust down without reloading.

This spear head is in nice condition and is very solid with no rust or flaking, indicative of an early find. There are examples of this piece in “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution” by Neumann & Kravic (see pictures). it is truly a great piece of early American History.

With the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding this year, interest in the Revolutionary War and its relics are significantly increasing. This renewed enthusiasm is driving the demand for virtually all Revolutionary War artifacts, further contributing to their scarcity and rising prices.