LUCERNE HAMMER

The 'Lucerne hammer' is a type of polearm which was popular in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. The name comes from a discovery of many of these weapons in Lucerne, Switzerland. The 'hammer' was actually a three to four pronged head mounted atop a 7 foot long pole. It bore a long spike on its reverse, and an even longer spike extending from the very top. It proved effective at puncturing or smashing armor, and much like a man catcher was used for dismounting riders.

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★ Spotlight: The Medieval Poleaxe, by Alexi Goranov