What is this heraldic charge?

[KGarrad]

By default the "horns" of a crescent are uppermost.

[jnomad]

It’s filii secundo-geniti: second-born son.

[David Nicoll]

It’s amazing what is staring you in the face! That’s exactly what is written in the Latin!

[Andrew Tarr]

I think gambe is probably from the same root as the French word jambe meaning leg. (Not to be confused with gambas meaning prawns.).

You are forgetting the 18th-century viola da gamba, so called because it was the predecessor of the cello, played between the legs ?

[Zaphod99]

Andrew, it's easily done.

Thank you all, and there was me thinking it was three prawns and a  croissant.

Zaph

[Viktoria]

Andrew, it's easily done.

Thank you all, and there was me thinking it was three prawns and a  croissant.

Zaph

Viktoria.

[hanes teulu]

Andrew, it's easily done.

Thank you all, and there was me thinking it was three prawns and a  croissant.

Zaph

These were published 1660, 1679 and 1682 - who ate the croissant!

[Zaphod99]

Where are those images from please?

Zaph

[hanes teulu]

1679
Full TextBook
A display of heraldry manifesting a more easie access to the knowledge thereof than hath been hitherto published by any, through the benefit of method : whereunto it is now reduced by the study and industry of John Guillim ...

1682
Heraldry epitomized containing a short and easie way to attain that art, explained in divers examples : illustrated with variety of coats of arms, not only of the families of the nobility and gentry, but also of countreys, cities, corporations and fraternities / collected by John Seller.

1660
Full TextBook
A display of heraldrie: manifesting a more easie access to the knowledge thereof then hath hitherto been published by any, through the benefit of method; / wherein it is now reduced by the study and industry of John Guillim ... Interlaced with much variety of history suitable to the severall occasions or subjects.