490900 Parade halberd from the state guard of Elector Christian I of Saxony, 1586-91 (steel & wood) by German School, (16th century); 238.2x30.5 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: The word \'halberd\' comes from the German words Halm (a staff) and Barte (an axe). The halberd is, in fact, an axe mounted on a long pole with a very specialized shape and function: the axe blade was used for hacking, the spike for thrusting, and the beak either for piercing plate armour or for pulling a knight from his saddle. The halberd was a weapon for shock troops and was used frequently by Swiss and German mercenaries. Christian I, Elector of Saxony (1560-91) ruled from 1586 until his death.); Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance; German, out of copyright.