Pikes

[Charge Bayonets]

Helloo,

Has anyone ever tried making pikes before?

I've been to the national Civil War Museum in Harrisburg PA, and saw one of the pikes used during John Brown's raid.
From what I gather, the pike heads were usually forged by a blacksmith. And the Pike shaft just a length of pole.

Anyone with any imput on anything pike related?

[Dignann]

Re: Pikes

Randy:

A few pages worth perusing:

https://www.kshs.org/publicat/khq/1933/33_4_hodder.htm

http://www.kshs.org/cool3/pike.htm

http://www.civilwar.si.edu/slavery_brown8.html

http://www.hsgng.org/pages/joebrownpike.htm

Eric

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Pikes

I have made a couple of 1816 boarding pikes and the thing I noted on the original that I viewed is that there was a reinforcing band near the bottom of the pole made of brass. That keeps the pole from splitting.

[Charge Bayonets]

Re: Pikes

Interesting guys, thanks.

Ross, did you make your own pikeheads?

[csa blacksmith]

Re: Pikes

They look like they would be fairly easy to make, I made something similar for a cavalry unit.

[NC5thCav]

Re: Pikes

I think there are some on display at Old Fort Jackson in Savannah GA. Maybe some of the guys from that area can remember some better details.

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: Pikes

I believe there was one at the Museum of the Confederacy or the Richmond Battlefield Park. I'll have to check again because I can't really remember.
Jay, what Company are you with? Ohio or Jersey?
Has anyone tried to see if anyone from Rush's Lancers made some pikes? If they're a reenacting company than they surely must have made their signature piece of weaponry.

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: Pikes

I believe there was one at the Museum of the Confederacy or the Richmond Battlefield Park. I'll have to check again because I can't really remember.
Jay, what Company are you with? Ohio or Jersey?
Has anyone tried to see if anyone from Rush's Lancers made some pikes? If they're a reenacting company than they surely must have made their signature piece of weaponry.

[ScottCross]

Re: Pikes

Pamplin Park in Petersburg has an original lance from Rush's Lancers on display. It's on loan from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.

[Union Navy]

Re: Pikes

Well, here I am, a recruit again. And after all I've done for you...
I see the reputation feature is back! Now's my chance to get Chaws good!

Back to the matter at hand. Here's a place to get pike heads - you're on your own for the pole:

http://www.navyandmarine.org/ItemsForSale/index.htm

Both navies used pikes throughout the war. Nearly every ship and boat had some aboard.

[Tom Craig]

Re: Pikes

The actual pike heads for John Brown's pikes were manufactured at the Collinsville Iron Works in Collinsville, CT. They later went on to make sabres during the war. The buildings are still there and it is a neat industrial complex that now houses an historical society, some antique stores and a cafe.

Regards,
Tom Craig

[tarheelmilitia]

Re: Pikes

Randy,
I have a "Georgia Pike" in my collection and could supply you pictures and exact measurements if you are interested in reproducing one. I think one could be easy to reproduce if you have basic knowledge of blacksmithing. Shoot me an email if your interested.

[Frenchie]

Re: Pikes

The Baltimore Civil War Museum has one of the pikes made by Ross Winan's factory for the defense of Baltimore. It's very similar to the John Brown pikes at Harper's Ferry. I can get pics and measurements if anyone is interested.

[csa blacksmith]

Re: Pikes

Jason,

I blacksmith on the side and I work in a blacksmith shop in logan Ohio but, I live in Lancaster Ohio.

[tarheelmilitia]

Re: Pikes

Here are a few pics of the confederate "Richmond Style" pike in my collection. Has anyone ever reproduced this style of pike?