A BACKSWORD WITH BRASS MORTUARY HILT, IN THE ENGLISH THIRD QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY STYLE

A BACKSWORD WITH BRASS MORTUARY HILT, IN THE ENGLISH THIRD QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY STYLE with 17th century broad blade double-edged towards the point, cut with three slender fullers of differing length and struck with a pair of celestial masks on each face (pitted), symmetrical brass basket-hilt of characteristic form decorated with a pair of masks on the base, comprising a pair of vestigial langets, scrolling quillon struck 'M' crowned on the inside, knuckle-guard, two frontal bars joined by a vertical bar and fitted with a further scrolling bar, chiselled globular pommel, and later grip bound with plaited wire (losses) between brass collars, 85.2 cm blade