An officer's weapon. The difference
between a partisan and a pike was a crescent of two short metal spikes between the shaft and
the spear-head. Wielding a partisan was much like using a halberd. A partisan
was widely used as an officer's weapon in the 16th century by
squads of knights with lances. A partisan remained a regular
part of the armory until the 19th century. Early versions of this weapon possessed a broad and long spear-head,
which was
later made smaller. A partisan was an attribute of power rather than a weapon, so the spear-head was often decorated with
engravings, gilding and
etching.
