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Day 1: War Through the Ages: Ancient Arms, Roman Antiquities & Medieval Relics

Sat, Feb 28, 2026 11:00AM EST
  2026-02-28 11:00:00 2026-02-28 11:00:00 America/New_York Treasure Trove Treasure Trove : Day 1: War Through the Ages: Ancient Arms, Roman Antiquities & Medieval Relics https://live.treasuretroveauctions.com/auctions/treasure-trove/day-1-war-through-the-ages-ancient-arms-roman-antiquities-medieval-relics-21418
Step into history with Treasure Trove’s largest Militaria auction to date, presented across two unforgettable days. Day One spans the ancient and early modern world, featuring antiquities, arms, armor, and military artifacts from Classical civilizations through the American Revolutionary War, Civil War, and into World War I. Day Two turns to the modern battlefield, showcasing an exceptional selection of World War II and post-war militaria, including uniforms, helmets, daggers, medals, field gear, and historically significant wartime relics.
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Lot 154

Exceptionally Rare 16th to 17th Century Mancatcher Polearm - Museum Piece!

Estimate: $4,500 - $11,500
Starting Bid
$250

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 extraordinarily rare 16th to 17th century mancatcher polearm is a brutal and highly specialized device, likely of Italian or Spanish origin. The iron head is formed with a forked structure incorporating spring-mounted retention plates and seven internal cusps, designed to seize, restrain, and immobilize a victim with devastating efficiency. The head is mounted on a long, tapering ferrule featuring a fixing hole for nail attachment. The original wooden staff it was once attached to is lost to time. The overall dimensions measure approximately 28 inches in length, with a total width of 17 3/4 inches and a round spiked capture area diameter of 10 3/4 inches, giving the piece an imposing and unmistakably menacing presence.

Mancatchers were used by law enforcement and inquisitorial authorities during the early modern period to apprehend suspects while minimizing direct physical contact. Despite their intended non-lethal role, the mechanical complexity and internal spikes made them instruments of extreme violence and terror. These devices were commonly associated with torture, imprisonment, and execution practices, and are documented in period and scholarly works, including Aldo Migliorini's Tortura Inquisizione Pena di Morte, where similar examples are illustrated and discussed.

Authentic mancatchers are among the rarest and most unsettling artifacts of early European justice and punishment systems. With direct institutional provenance and preserved mechanical features, this example represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a museum-grade object that embodies the darker realities of historical law enforcement and penal authority. It is an extraordinary acquisition for advanced collectors of torture devices, judicial artifacts, or early modern European arms.

Provenance: Acquired from the Museum of Torture and Death Penalty in San Gimignano, Italy, formerly displayed as part of a collection.

★ ★ ★
Good – Noticeable wear from age and use but remains structurally sound. Considered average condition for most collectibles and memorabilia. Minor imperfections or signs of handling may be present but do not detract from the overall integrity of the item.

 

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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