Halberd for the Bodyguard of Maximilian III Joseph, duke of Bavaria
Culture
Bavarian
, Southern Germany
Datemid-1600s, altered 1762
Mediumetched and blackened steel, wood and brass with gilding and possibly paint remnants
Dimensions241 × 63.5 cm (94 7/8 × 25 in.), 8 lb, 8 oz weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsFace of socket below fluke has incised number "80". On haft near socket is secured a rectangular brass tag stamped with the Bavarian Army Museum inventory number "A2132".
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.156
DescriptionBroad axe-blade with slightly concave, unsharpened edge. The edges above and below are recurved and cut with a single inward cusp near the socket. The axehead is opposed by a flat down-turned fluke which has a pair of inwardly curved pointed lugs at its base. The long, broad apical blade is of near equal width over its length. It is double-edged, of hollow-ground diamond section with a strong medial ridge extending full length from the socket to the tip which terminates in a reinforced, two-sided angular point. The integral socket is of flattened rectangular section below the blade, with a similarly sectioned moulding at mid-length. At the haft, the socket widens slightly and is drawn out into four long thin langets. The steel head is secured to the octagonal-section ash haft by six equally spaced, double-headed brass rivets,some of which are lost. Below the squared terminals of the langets is a single, transverse iron rivet, one end of which retains fragments of a brass decorative washer. The butt of the haft is squared and fitted with an octagonal, iron ferrule which is secured by a single iron nail transversely mounted.
Except for the socket with langets, cutting edges and the terminal 60mm of the apical spike, both sides of the head are symetrically decorated with thickly etched foliate traceries and some vegetation on a crudely stippled, black-printed ground. Centered on the axe-blade is etched the Bavarian arms written in an oval cartouche surrounded by a wreath-like mantling of stalks crossed at the base. The whole is surmounted by the crown of the prince elector.
On the fluke opposite is a later monogram which consists of the incised upper-case letters "MICHIB (Maximilian Ioseph Churfurst Herzog In Bayern), within a double-incised, retangular frame. On the base of the apical blade above is the incised date "1762". This, as well as the framed letters, is an eighteenth-century modification to an earlier, 17th century weapon. The numeral "1" of the date on the front face appears to be earlier, as it seems to be part of the etched decoration and differs considerably in form from its partner on the opposite face.
The remainder of the blade is etched with an ascending, symmetrical design of thick vine and floral motives, some of which are adorned and voluted, all within a long, rectangular frame and on a ground similar to that below. The blackened decoration appears to have been applied in modern times. At intervals on both the 17th century and 1762 etching and incisions are traces of gilding. Evidently, much of their gilding must have been lost, resulting in the "need" for the restoration of the ground color, albeit incorrectly performed.
Label TextThis halberd was carried by the personal guards of Maximilian III (r. 1745–1777). Its inscriptions include the Bavarian coat of arms surmounted by the crown of the prince-elector, Maximilian III’s monogram “MICHIB,” and the date 1762. The weapon was originally made for Maximilian I, after 1623, the year in which he received the title of Elector of Palatinate. A hundred years later it came into the possession of his great-great-grandson Maximilian III, for whom the date and monogram were added.ProvenanceQuite possibly from the Bavarian Army Museum, Munich Don Miguel Webel (to 1924), Clarence H. Mackay (Roslyn, L.I.) collection (#J-58); Purchased by Museum from Gimbel Brothers (NYC) on October 31, 1941. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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