A FRENCH HALBERD FOR THE 'GARDES SUISSE DES ENFANTS DE FRANCE', CIRCA 1774-80 with tapering double-edged terminal blade formed with a medial ridge and engraved with chevrons on each face, border-engraved curved axe-blade and 'm' shaped rear fluke, the latter with an additional central lug, engraved with a sun-in-splendour in the centre on one face and the arms of France carried by a trophy-of-arms on the other, tapering faceted socket engraved 'N26' and with a transverse bolt with sharp up-turned point, on its wooden haft with iron shoe 54.3 cm; 21 3/8 in head Provenance The George R. Hann Collection, Pennsylvania, sold Christie's 19 May 1980, lot 58. See Ariès1969, 2 fascicule for a discussion of this group.