Halbert, or HALBARD, a weapon which consisted of a strong wooden shaft about 6 feet in length, surmounted by an instrument resembling an axe, balanced on the opposite side by a hook or pick, whilst the shaft was continued in a sharp pike-head. The weapon was much used in Germany, Switzerland, and France. In England it was a common arm from the reign of Henry VII. to that of George III. Now it is rarely seen except as borne by yeomen of the guard and others on certain ceremonial occasions. A variety of the same weapon may be recognised in the Scottish Lochaber Axe (q.v.).
