This is a modified version of is what is often called a "peasants flail", which originally was a farm implement used for separating grains. The flails usually consisted of a long shaft, meant for use with two hands, with a typically cylindrical head attached via a short hinge. The heads of these flails were sometimes studded with metal and pressed into service by peasant soldiers. This example would be a variation of what is often called a "morning star" and has a wooden ball studded with 2 1/2 inch long iron spikes attached to the shaft with a length of chain. Historians tend to disagree on whether or not such weapons ever existed at all, but the general consensus seems to be that if they did they were not used widely and likely only in times of desperate need. This example, which was attributed as 16th century Swiss during a previous sale, consists of a 68 1/4 inch hardwood shaft with a 23 inch squared grip section and a 10 inch chain attaching the ball.

Very good, the iron generally showing a dark grey patina and the wood showing some minor dings, dents and cracks scattered throughout.