Corsèque (Chauve-Souris), c. 1530. North Italy, 16th century. Steel; round wood haft with leather straps; overall: cm (72 1/4 in.); blade: cm (8 3/4 in.). The corsèque is a pole arm with a symmetrical three-pronged head consisting of a central double-edged blade and two sharp, upturned wings. The side blades served several functions: as guard to protect the soldier's hand when a thrust was delivered with the central blade; as a hook for unseating a mounted opponent; and to trip the opponent's horse. The corsèque was used mostly in Italy and France from the 1400s to the early 1600s.

---

Size: 2590px × 3400px
Photo credit: © CMA/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: