AN ENGLISH BACKSWORD with single-edged blade (light pitting) back-edged towards the point, the back bordered by a single groove on each face stamped respectively 'Spes Mea' and 'Est Deo', iron 'mortuary' hilt composed of slender scrolled bars incised with conventional foliage and masks, above a broad shell pierced and chiselled with scrolling foliage involving putti masks and cartouches framing male busts, globular pommel, and wire-bound shagreen-covered wooden grip, circa 1640-50