of the falchion order) is back-edged, as in the case of the light little sword (Fig. 668) we illustrate.
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Fig. 674. Sword
Italian (Venetian), closing years of the XVth or commencement of the XVIth century
Collection: Mr. W. H. Riggs, Metropolitan Museum, New York
There are only five other swords of early date known to us which show this ring as the sole protection for the forefinger:—the first from the Armoury of Constantinople, the second in the Royal Armoury, Turin, the third, of later date, in the Royal Armoury, Windsor (No. 28), the fourth in the collection of the late M. Édmond Foulc of Paris, and the fifth in the Riggs collection in the Metropolitan Museum of New York. The hilt of the Windsor sword is probably Spanish and of the second half of the XVth century; the blade, or possibly the etching and gilding upon it, is the work of the XVIth or XVIIth century (Fig. 669). The hilt is entirely of gilt iron. The pommel is fashioned as a short, flattened cylinder, as also is the central portion of the quillons, which are straight, widening slightly towards the ends, and of oblong section; to one quillon is attached a semicircular guard for the forefinger, or single pas-d'âne. The XVIth century grip is of plain wood, but was formerly bound with copper wire; the plaited silver wire and "Turk's" heads, still remain at either end of it. The blade, 35 inches long and 1-5/8 inches wide at the hilt, is back-edged in its entire length and
