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 cavalry weapon appreciated by both parties. The most ornate hilt of this type that we have come across, a hilt chiselled with figure subjects, and with portrait busts that might be construed into the likeness of almost anybody, is now in the collection of Mr. Edward H. Litchfield of New York. It is said to be a weapon that once belonged to Oliver Cromwell, an attribution that is doubtless due to the fact that upon the blade are the arms of the Commonwealth, the date 1650, and the inscription: (Fig. 1511). The author must confess that he has never come across any contemporary use of the word "mortuary" as applied to such a type of broadsword. We illustrate two other less elaborate hilts on which these crude portrait busts are chiselled—both are of English workmanship (Figs. 1512 and 1513). Germany, Spain, and Italy had each its distinctive form of cavalry broadsword, varying but little from that of English origin. Large numbers of nearly every type are found, weapons being often made in duplicate, triplicate, or even in scores; a circumstance which leads us to suppose that they were the first "regulation" weapons handed to regimental bands and troops. To France can be assigned a large family of good serviceable broadswords of the type (Fig. 1514); some are of admirable workmanship, gilding and silver plating often constituting their enrichment. They mostly belong to the last quarter of the XVIIth century. A discussion on the regulation sword is, however, beyond the scope of our work.

Viewed from the blade edge. English, about 1650. Ex collection: the late Mr. E. J. Brett

English, about 1650. Ex collection: the late Mr. E. J. Brett