I like Griefbringer's explanation, it certainly makes more sense than two men carrying a five foot pole
I also just noticed the OP's last question:
There's a Claymore figure who seems to be holding his by the pointy end. Is that significant?
If this is the figure referred to:
Then that's not a cut down lance, it's a goedendag or plancon, much favoured by the Flemish militia for knocking Knights to the ground and stabbing them with the pointy end, as illustrated on the Coutrai chest: