Authorised Guide to the Tower of London | Page 9

be seen axes, horsemen's hammers and maces, all designed for breaking and rending armour. Observe also various forms of the bayonet, from the early plug bayonet to the later socketed type of that weapon.
The first case on the right contains crossbows of various types. This weapon, at no time our national arm, was used for the defence of fortresses, and later on for sport. The heavy kind were bent by means of arrangements of pulleys, the windlass, or a kind of lifting jack called the Cranequin or Cric. The lighter forms were bent by an attached lever called the Goat's Foot. Specimens of these are in the case, as also two bowstaves from the wreck of the Mary Rose, 1545, and some leaden sling bullets from the battle field of Marathon. In the next case are firearms of early types. Among these observe two guns which belonged to Henry VIII, both of them breechloaders on a system resembling the modern Snider rifle. Note also the German Reiter wheel-lock pistols, with ball pommel; the William III match-lock, with plug bayonet stuck in the muzzle; the bandoliers, each containing twelve charges of powder and a bullet bag; the Vauban lock, combining the flint and match; also a still earlier form of this lock of English make. Montecucuh says he had similar locks made, having seen them used still earlier by the Turks.
The next case contains rapiers and swords and bucklers. Observe the raised bars on the latter, to entangle and break the sword-point. The mounted figure in brown armour shows the equipment of the cavalry in the early part of the seventeenth century, the armour being browned or blacked to prevent rust and to avoid detection at a distance.
The figure (XXIV) in the first enclosure is that of James II. It will be seen that it only consists of a headpiece, breast and back plates, and a long gauntlet to protect the bridle arm. All the pieces bear the King's initials, and the face guard is pierced with the design of the Royal Arms. The next equestrian figure is a gilt suit of Charles I (XIX), said to have been given to him by the City of London. It is the latest complete suit in the collection, and was probably never worn by him. In the centre of the room is a case containing gun locks, powder flasks, and other pieces for the furnishing of a soldier's equipment. The cannon were made for the instruction of Charles II when a prince. In the wall case observe with other objects two swine feathers, or feather staffs, having one long and two short blades which can be concealed in the shaft, also a German Calendar sword with the saints' days marked in gold, and other swords. Below are two waistcoat cuirasses opening down the front.
In the next enclosure on the right is a mounted figure (XVIII) of Charles I when young. The armour is apparently of French make, and is very interesting as being a double suit--that is, it represents the equipment of the cuirassier or cavalryman of about 1610, and then by removing the helmet and the armour for the arms and legs, and substituting the pott and the short thigh defences (in the small glass case) we have the equipment of the foot soldier as seen in the figures of pikemen on the other side of the room. The small silvered cap and breast and back in another glass case was made for Charles II when prince.
In a table case are a gun and pistol dated respectively 1614 and 1619, made for Charles I when Prince of Wales. The gun is not quite perfect, but the two weapons are the earliest examples of flint locks in the collection. Note also a fine wheel lock of about 1600. The gunner's axe was used for laying cannon, and has on its shaft scales showing the size of cannon balls of stone, iron, lead, and slag. It belonged to the Duke of Brunswick Luneburg. The last enclosure contains a suit (XVII) of richly decorated armour given to Henry Prince of Wales by the Prince de Joinville. This suit, though rich, is of late and inelegant form, as may be seen by observing the breast and the treatment of the feet. In the suit of his brother Prince Charles also will be seen an instance of the decay of the armourer's art, namely, the thigh-pieces, which are marked as though of several pieces of metal whilst being of one rigid piece.
In a small case are unfinished portions of a helmet and gorget, and a gilt and engraved vamplate belonging to a suit of Henry Prince of Wales.
The figures on the opposite side of the room are horsemen and pikemen of the seventeenth century, after which time