- rions which, like the cabassets (post, Fig. 1292), were the head-pieces of
the guard of the Electors of Saxony from about 1585 to 1610, vary in quality according to the date of production. As may be imagined, those produced at the formation of the electoral guard are far the finest in make; while those constructed in the XVIIth century are the weakest kind of parade helmets. An example in the Musée d'Artillerie of Paris (Fig. 1282) may be considered as one of the earlier of its type; for it is of substantial proportions and its contour is good. These morions vary a good deal in the position of the arms of Saxony: some, as in the case of this example, have it on the skull-piece, others have it on the comb, and some in both places. Apart from the gilded etching, the original colour of the exposed field of these morions was blue-black; but this particular helmet has a bright polished surface.
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Fig. 1282. Morion
Of the guard of the Electors of Saxony. German work, about 1580. H 188, Musée d'Artillerie, Paris
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Fig. 1283. Morion
Of the guard of the Electors of Saxony, showing the lion's mask washers to the rivets. Collection: Author
Two varieties of the copper-gilt washers that surround the bottom of the skull-piece are known, that of the rosette order, and that which takes the form of a lion's head with a ring in the mouth (Fig. 1283). Often, too, the plumeholders are elaborated in gilded bronze.
The dagger which each guard carried and of which there are a number in the Dresden Museum is very distinctive. The hilt is of blackened iron,
