Bronze hilt, formerly gilt with symmetrical shell guards, expanded medial knuckle bow and elongated circular pommel. Decorated throughout in high relief with pairs of portraits depicting the subject in conventional attire and alternately, in a cowl, commemorating Charles V who abdicated and retired to the monetary of Yuste. Fine wire wrapped grip. 33 3/4" hollow triangular blade etched with scrolling foliage, military trophies and crowned CR cipher of Charles VI of the Holy Roman Empire and Charles III, King of Hungary. Charles failure to produce a male heir led to the Pragmatic Sanction which recognized Maria Theresa as heir, which led to the Wars of Spanish and Polish Succession, and essentially, brought down the Holy Roman Empire ending Hapsburg domination in Europe.