Sergeant’s Spontoon

The regulation spontoon (sometime known as an ‘espontoon’, ‘pike’ or ‘half pike’ and also loosely known as a ‘halberd’) was around 7- 9 feet in length and was in common use from the mid-17th to early 19th century. The short cross metal cross bar was to keep the blade from penetrating too deeply into the body of an enemy – which would make it hard to withdraw the weapon. In defence, it had a long reach and was a smaller version of the 15 foot pikes wielded in the English Civil War. A spontoon was of use when infantry had to repel cavalry, an advantage given by the long reach. As muskets replaced pikes, the latter became more a symbol of authority and discipline. Common soldiers stopped carrying pikes, which were used solely by sergeants. It was carried by centre company sergeants (i.e. not by the light or grenadier company sergeants).

In combat and drill the sergeant could place the long pole horizontally behind soldiers’ backs to keep ranks straight, or to prod people into position. Because of the height of the spontoon, it was easy for all to identify the position of the sergeant in action. Three spontoons lashed together in a triangle formed a frame against which a man undergoing punishment by the lash could be tied.

Issued by the Board of Ordnance, there was a standard drill for ‘order’, ‘shoulder’ and ‘port’ arms etc. as with firearms. When muskets were stacked in camp, after the order to ‘pile’ arms was given, the spontoons could be placed horizontally between two piles of muskets.