A halberd recovered from Jamestown entered the conservation lab last week! We are assisting Colonial Williamsburg conservators with the treatment. The weapon consists of an axe blade (iron), a hook (on the opposite side from the axe), and the iron head is topped with a spike (the spike is bent, see picture below). The handle is ash with four iron bands nailed along the sides with copper alloy nails.

Our contribution to this treatment is to freeze-dry the wooden handle. The object actually fits perfectly in the freeze-dryer (4 feet long). The treatment has begun and the halberd is looking great!