LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

72011

A 'John Brown Pike' Used at the Harper's Ferry R

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,750.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
A 'John Brown Pike' Used at the Harper's Ferry R
<B>A 'John Brown Pike' Used at the Harper's Ferry Raid, Serial Number 846</B></I> This 80" pike was used at the famed Harper's Ferry Raid executed by abolitionist John Brown and his party of 18 men. Brown, a native of Connecticut, became an ardent abolitionist from early in life being raised by a highly religious, anti-slavery family. Having first been trained in the ministry, he became involved in the tannery business, traveled to Kansas to assist the anti-slavery movement and became a violent abolitionist, ultimately organizing his ill-fated raid on the Harper's Ferry, Virginia Armory which resulted in his wounding, capture and execution. It was during the preparation for this raid that he ordered these pikes from his native Connecticut. At 80" long, they are wooden spear-like weapons tipped with a 10" blade and were used to subdue the minimal force guarding the armory, after which Brown's forces seized their rifles and barricaded themselves inside.<BR>This John Brown pike actually was used at the raid by Brown's forces, all of whom were either killed or captured as the raid was put down by then-Colonel Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart who, along with 90 Marines, stormed the armory. A silver commemorative plaque has been affixed to the pike at 6" down from the blade on the wooden shaft as follows: <I>One of John Brown's Pikes Used at Harpers Ferry, Made in Collinsville, Ct., 1857-1859.</B></I> The metal haft on the pike itself is numbered '846' and is in very good condition as is the wood which is of a very nice grain and completely intact.<BR> This is a very rare weapon used at one of the most significant events in American history that sparked the outbreak of the Civil War.<BR><BR> <B>Provenance:</B></I> <I>Norm Flayderman,The Tharpe Collection of American Military History</B></I><BR> <BR><B>Exhibited:</B></I> <I>The Liberty Heritage Society Museum</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot