Pike, original prototype of John Brown's pike, Dec. 5, 1859. Steel, wood. Horatio N. Rust and Charles Blair, Collinsville (Conn.).Chicago History Museum purchase, Charles F. Gunther Collection. 1920.974.
EXECUTED AT/CHARLESTOWN, VA/DEC 2 1859; CAPT JOHN BROWN
Object History
This is reportedly an original prototype of 1,000 pikes ordered by the American abolitionist John Brown to use in an armed rebellion of Southern slaves in 1859.
Curatorial Statement
The American abolitionist John Brown planned to instigate a slave rebellion by capturing the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and arming blacks with 1,000 pikes made by a Connecticut blacksmith. Brown was captured, convicted of treason, and hung for his actions.
