A COMPOSITE RIDING SWORD with wide double-edged blade with central fullers on each face of the forte stamped respectively 'Iohann' and 'Dei Aorta', on one face an orb and cross mark, and two other marks struck on each face of the ricasso, iron hilt comprising vertically recurved quillons, the front one forming a knuckle-guard, two symmetrical side-loops dividing at the rear to form two curved bars that join the tip of the rear arm, the lower one on the inside widening into a heart-shaped plate, the tips of the arms linked on each side by small side-rings, the outside one with an upturned bar, faceted ovoidal pommel, and later wooden grip, early 17th Century