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Styrian Armoury > Discover > Collection > Staff weapons

Staff weapons

There are 5.395 staff weapons preserved in the Armoury: mainly halberds and pikes, fewer boar spears, couses, tardes, morning stars and glaives.

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For a long time, staff weapons were the chief weapons used by foot soldiers.
As their penetration force increased, guns gradually replaced staff weapons on the battlefield, yet staff weapons remained in use as symbolic items of prestige—as guard weapons, for example, which were richly decorated.

Many of the staff weapons stored in the armoury were mainly produced in the 16th and 17th century and originate from Upper Austrian Workshops which were mainly located around Steyr like the ones from Pankraz Taller or Peter Schreckseisen.

Trabant's halberds

Before the advent of firearms, edged weapons and staff weapons dominated warfare during this era.

Pike

There are many shelves displaying pikes dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. They were used by well-trained infantrymen to protect the harquebusiers and musketeers from enemy attacks on horseback. 

Halberds

In the latter half of the 16th century, the Syrian region bought thousands of these staff weapons. 

Morning stars

In 1683, Vienna was besieged by the army of the Turkish Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa. The Styrian estates perceived a threat to the northern and eastern borders of Styria, and thus both well-armed enlisted mercenaries and peasant subjects were conscripted to protect the border. With little experience of battle, these men were equipped with morning stars.

Partisan of Hans Franz of Stainach

The thrust weapon, whose name derives form partigiano (fellow party member), was first used in Italy in the 15th century. Its original design has a double-edged, tapered blade (tongue of an ox). 

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