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


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.

Objects

Trabant's halberds

Upper Austria (?), late 16th century


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

Pike

Upper Austria, 4th quarter of the 16th century


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  more...

Halberds

Upper Austria, 16th century


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

Morning stars

Graz, 1685


All 185 morning stars were produced by Graz Wood turner Egid Rotter in 1685 in order to equp the levy of peasants.  more...

Styrian Armoury

Herrengasse 16
8010 Graz, Österreich
T +43-316/8017-9810
zeughaus@museum-joanneum.at

 

Opening Hours


Admission only with guided tour:
1  November 2022 to 31 March 2023 Tue-Sun, public holidays

Admission without a guided tour (brochure):
1 April 2023 to 31 October 2023 Tue-Sun, public holidays 10am - 6pm

Guided Tours
Please visit our calendar.
Guided tours on advance notice.
Due to the current Covid regulations, the number of participants is limited.

 

24th/25th December 2023