The 16th century in Western Europe saw plate armour reach its pinnacle, and along with it, the need for weapons to defeat it. Two distinct schools of thought were born from this, the first being thinner, stiff, thrusting swords capable of finding and exploiting the tiny gaps in the armour, and the second being weapons capable of smashing through the armour or at least causing incapacitating trauma to the wearer. This mace is a prime example of the second school of thought and became a very popular and economical weapon during the period. The head on this example features six large flanges brazed on with a copper alloy, each with a prominent point capable of collapsing the steel plates of armour, and there is a prominent spike at the tip. The shaft is also steel and carved with a spiral pattern on the grip area and scale motif on the remainder and a finial on the butt.

Fine, showing mostly a dark grey patina with some of the bright copper alloy brazing visible and some pitting scattered throughout and mild wear. A fine example of a 16th century solution to plate armour!