A FRENCH HALBERD FOR THE FRENCH ROYAL SWISS GUARD, MID-17TH CENTURY with tapering medially-ridged terminal blade, double axe-head, one incorporating a protruding central lug, etched on each face with the crowned Royal arms of France and Navarre enclosed by the Orders of St Michel and St Esprit, the crowned letter 'L' enclosed by fronds, tapering faceted socket numbered '77' on the reverse, fitted with a transverse bolt incorporating a robust up-turned spike, on its wooden haft with iron shoe, and with a tassel 58.5 cm; 23 in head Provenance George R. Hann, Treetops, Pennsylvania, sold Christie's New York, 19 May 1980, lot 59. For a discussion of this group see Ariès 1920, 2, figs. 1 & 2