Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 3).djvu/139

 ornament. The two pieces are secured together by a strong rivet with a pyramidal head at either side. This pole-axe head is decorated with trefoil piercings and horizontal bands of brass, inlaid flush to the surface; down the centre of the face of the hammer is a brass band, with the inscription in slight relief, The wooden haft, strapped with iron, and the rondel that protects the hand, are restorations. We consider this example to be of French make, and as dating within the third quarter of the XVth century.

Hastings MS.

There is in the National Bavarian Museum of Munich a very fine pole-hammer possessing its original haft and rondel protection (Fig. 888). It will be noted that the head is of the simplest construction, composed of a small maillet hammer-head and strong beak. Another pole arm, this time more in the nature of the battle-axe, is in the collection of Mr. S. G. Fenton (Fig. 889). This very representative weapon has its large cutting blade and