AN ENGLISH BACKSWORD with fluted blade double-edged towards the point, iron hilt of 'mortuary' type with solid triangular guard chiselled in low relief with palmette designs, drawn out into a knuckle-guard, linked by a diagonal S-scroll to a corresponding guard on the outside, thumb-ring on the inside, globular pommel decorated en suite with the guard, and spirally-grooved wooden grip, circa 1640-50