Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 4).djvu/378

 model. The halberds possess the long central spike, a blade on one side with a scroll-shaped cutting edge, balanced by a down-curved beak on the opposite side, which has a reinforced point. The surface of the base of the halberd head is etched and often gilt, with arrangements of strapwork in the Saxon manner, introducing the arms of Saxony. The example we illustrate is from one of the many in the Wallace Collection (Fig. 1419 a).

Milanese, about 1580-1590. British Museum

Milanese, about 1580-1590. Imperial Armoury, Vienna

Individual fancies as regards form and decoration are constantly to be met with in halberds of late XVIth and early XVIIth century date. In the group illustrated are represented four other different types of decorated halberds of the closing years of the XVIth century (Fig. 1419 b, c, d, e).