Pikes were made in nearly every state in the Confederacy.  Historically, pikes have been used in many wars since the Revolutionary War.  Early in the Civil War, Confederate soldiers used these weapons for hand-to-hand fighting for the lack of anything better and until a more suitable musket and bayonet could be procured or seized from the enemy.  Multiple references of the procurement and use of Confederate pikes can be found in period documents.  These were often unmarked by the manufacturer.  Of the variations of Confederate pikes, the retractable pikes are rare.  Theoretically, retractable pikes had a blade that sprung out of its sheath to full length to transfix its user’s opponent.  These retractable Confederate pikes lacked the strong spring and the blades were merely retractable.

With the blade in its retracted position the pike measures approx. 72.00 inches long from butt to butt. Each end has a ferrule; the blade end has a brass ferrule with a slit for the blade to emerge while the other end has a heavy iron ferrule, which can most likely be used as a blunt weapon.  The bulk of the length is made of two wood (pine?) halves forming a wooden pole 2 inches wide by 1.00 inch thick.  There are two brass 1.00 inch wide heavy center rings that hold the two wooden halves together and secure the blade stopper levers; one for the blade closed position and one for the blade open position.  These levers are leaf spring tensioned and tabbed to hold the blade.  The levers, center rings, and the two butt ferrules are attached to the wooden pole with slotted head screws.  The wooden pole has some nicks, digs, and scratches, none of which detract from its original attractive appearance.

The steel blade, when locked in its open position, is 14.75 inches long and just under 1.50 inches wide at its base. Blade has very sharp double edges and a very small chip in the point.  The blade extends flawlessly when the sliding handle is operated.

This pike is rare, very attractive, and a quality piece that would make an interesting addition to any Civil War or Confederate collection.  [AD]

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