HELBARD Swiss, last third of the 17th century, so-called "Sempacher helbard". Single-edged blade-type tip, transitioning into the beaked hook; two marks: circular area symmetrically divided by eight lines, and pointed oval with two diagonal crosses. Long rectangular blade with straight edge, rounded shaft guide, two parrying spikes at the base. Two langets. Original octagonal shaft, ferrule with spike. L 228 cm. The weapon on offer is a rare variant of the Sempacher helbards produced after 1656, which can be found in the Bernese Armory Inventory, and which were manufactured in the region of Neuchâtel. In good condition with original shaft. Cf. Wegeli: Stangenwaffen, Hist. Museum Bern, Nos. 1365, 1465, 1466, Marken, p. 61, No. 1422 Form, Plate IX, weapons from the same workshop. * The full tax is charged on this item marked * in the auction catalogue, i.e. VAT is charged on the sum of the bid price plus the surcharge for those items. The VAT will be refunded to Purchasers providing a validly stamped export declaration.