1) European Pattern Billhook Style Polearm. As with many infantry pole arms of the medieval period, the billhook was derived from a farm implement called a "bill", which was used for cutting tree limbs. Billhooks sought to combine the attributes of various weapons, the thrust of a spear, pull of a hook, and swing of a halberd, giving levy infantry a readily available weapon to deal with mounted armored cavalry. This piece appears to be a variant of a billhook with a hardwood shaft and a head with a long central spear blade and hooks on either side. The overall length is 77 inches with the head measuring 16 1/2 inches. 2) 16th-17th Century European Style Pike. Pikes such as this example came to dominate European battlefields during the 16th-17th centuries, with massed formations of pikeman supported by matchlock armed infantry and cavalry being the order of the day. The shaft of this example was shortened from its original 14-20 feet long, likely for display purposes. The head has a plain leaf shaped blade with central ridge supported by long tangs riveted to the shaft. The overall length is 88 1/4 inches with a 7 1/4 inch head.