"Halberds" Topic

Were halberds used much in the Thirty Years War?

I noticed that a unit is included in the Danish lists for Field of Glory.

No, most units did not bother with them even in the early period. There were some exceptions, for example in the 1620's the Catholic Leauge still raised units which included either 10 or 20 halberdiers in each 300 man company. A similar practice could be found in some early Imperial regiments and the Swiss still produced them in larger numbers than anyone else for use by their levies. (Though the halberd was still very much in the minority even among the Swiss)

Other than the Swiss most armies seem to have 'lost' most/all of their halberds in the field except perhaps for the odd colour guard for the colonel. Pikemen were always in short supply so why waste men as halberdiers.

Halberds were used for storming fortifications in both the 30YW and the ECW.

I have the vaguest of memories of a reference to a Danish royal guard company armed with halberds – perhaps in an old "Arquebusier" article on the 30YW Danish army? But it might be a misunderstanding of ceremonial or guard-duty weapon usage.

Pike in garrison would use polearms and bills etc, Pike it's not the easiest weapon to get about town with.

Remember that a Halbert is also a badge of rank, Sergeant.

Thanks for the comments.

This may well dismay some of you but I think I'll probably add a 4 base unit to my TYW Swedes.

Perhaps not too historical, my tabletop opponents are Early Russians & Ottomans & some extra teeth in melee would be useful.

I'll start looking for suitable figures.

This is a gap in the market IMHO. We play TYW skirmish in 15mm and 28mm. Almost every skirmish rule set includes Billmen/Halberdiers as a common troop type. But there are virtually no figures in 15mm, and few options in 28mm. Also absent are armored and unarmored figures with pistols, swords etc. I've got hundreds of musketeers and pikemen with swords on their hips, but you can't find any that one in their hands!

Essex 15mm TYW and ECW ranges include packs of halberdiers in various states of armour/plain dress.

Thanks. I'm using Revell & ACTA 1/72 plastics (fabulous figures).
There's no plastic halberdiers in any of the various sets AFAIK.
link

I'm looking at the metal ranges.