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Hessian Kurzgeweher (Partizan)
Germany 1760-1780, Steel
Attached to a six to eight foot wooden pole, the kurzgeweher is a pole arm carried by sergeants within the Hessian ranks. This example was found in the 20th century in the bank of Crosswicks Creek near Chesterfield NJ (called Recklestown in the 18th century). From the inscription on the blade, it is known that it came from Berenberg, home of the Von Mirbach Regiment. Soldiers from this regiment passed over Crosswicks Creek on December 27, 1776, as they picked up refugees from the battle of Trenton. This partizan may have been lost by the Feldwebel (first sergeant) whose name may have been Debes. |