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DAY 1: Historic Arms & Armor: Revolutionary America

Sat, Jul 18, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-07-18 11:00:00 2026-07-18 11:00:00 America/New_York Treasure Trove Treasure Trove : DAY 1: Historic Arms & Armor: Revolutionary America https://live.treasuretroveauctions.com/auctions/treasure-trove/day-1-historic-arms-armor-revolutionary-america-23506
Treasure Trove Auctions proudly presents Day 1 of our premier militaria event, featuring an extraordinary selection of historic American arms and relics, including some of the finest documented Revolutionary War material we have encountered, significant Civil War artifacts, American Indian pieces, and frontier-era history. Complementing this remarkable offering is our signature selection of medieval, Renaissance, and antique arms & armor, creating a truly exceptional sale spanning centuries of warfare. Now is your chance to acquire tangible history from all eras of military history!
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Lot 531

BEAUTIFUL German Brunswick Commissioned Officer's Spontoon | American Revolutionary War era 18th c.

Starting Bid
$100

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$100 $50
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000

This exceptional American Revolutionary War era 18th-century German Brunswick commissioned officer’s spontoon is an amazingly decorated polearm and a museum-quality artifact of rank, command, and military tradition. The steel blade features the distinctive Leaping Horse of Brunswick etched on one side, while the opposite side bears the Brunswick leaping horse emblem and the Latin motto “NUNQUAM RETRORSUM”, meaning “Never backward” or “Never step back.” The decoration is executed with gold inlay, giving the head a level of refinement far beyond a common infantry weapon. The spearhead includes a cross-piece, and the steel head is mounted on its original period wooden shaft with a rare pointed metal butt plate. The piece represents the type of officer or sergeant polearm carried for authority, signaling, and rank identification as much as for combat use.

Spontoons, pikes, halberds, and related polearms remained important in 18th-century military culture even as firearms dominated the battlefield. Officers and senior non-commissioned officers carried these arms as symbols of command, using them to signal movements, maintain formation, guard the colors, and visibly mark their position within the line. The Brunswick connection is especially meaningful in the American Revolutionary War context, as German troops from Brunswick and other German states served alongside British forces in North America. The motto “Nunquam Retrorsum” perfectly captures the martial spirit of the period, expressing courage, discipline, and refusal to retreat.

This is a standout Revolutionary War era polearm with the artistic quality and historical weight serious collectors look for. The gold-inlaid Brunswick leaping horse, Latin motto, original wooden shaft, cross-piece head, rare metal butt plate, and officer-grade purpose make it far more than a standard military implement. Similar examples from this era are represented in major collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, underscoring the significance of the form. This piece would be a centerpiece in any collection of Revolutionary War arms, German auxiliary material, 18th-century polearms, or officer’s weapons of rank. Only available at Treasure Trove Auctions.

Dimensions: Full Length: 88 inches | Decorated Spontoon Blade: 10 inches | Blade + Mount to Wood: 14 inches

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Excellent/Mint - Well-preserved, minimal wear, complete, functional, and/or fully intact. Close to original condition. May also be labelled as museum quality.


Condition assessed using Treasure Trove Auctions’ proprietary grading scale. While we strive for accuracy, all ratings are subjective and based on our best evaluation as determined by a dedicated team of researchers, from expert appraisers to knowledgeable historians and veteran collectors. Full grading details can be found on our Authentication page for reference. For a more in-depth condition report or additional images, please contact us and we will be more than happy to oblige.

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