Pike
Description
A pike used in the raid led by abolitionist John Brown (1800-1859) on a Federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia on October 16-18, 1859. The sharp, flat, steel blade is affixed with an iron guard and is attached to a long wooden (ash) pole. He was executed by hanging following a trial. One of several John Brown pikes in the collection, this one is marked "#54". A total of 954 identical pikes were made for Brown by blacksmith Charles Blair of Collins & Company in Collinsville, Connecticut.
Creator
Date
1859-10-16