Talk to Me About the Cut Down Lance

[levied troop]

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:

[Arlequín]

It would be two men carrying a full size lance, but still a silly idea.   

Good catch on the goedendag question too.