art-of-swords:Italian Gunner’s StilettoDated: circa 1650Measurements: overall length 12 3/4”The stil
art-of-swords:Italian Gunner’s StilettoDated: circa 1650Measurements: overall length 12 3/4”The stiletto is completely steel constructed in 3 pieces with turned baluster grip and crossguard. It has a triangular-section of 9 1/4” blade, the reverse flat inscribed with cannoneer’s measuring scale, numbered from 1 to 12.Apparently during the 16th and 17th Centuries the Italians were known for their skill with artillery. These stilettos were their personal sidearms and the blade scale was used to measure the size of the cannon bores and shot. At this time there was no standardisation among shot sizes and the gunner’s stiletto served the double duty of a personal protection weapon and a valuable scale for the artillery.Source: © 2013 Antique Weapon Store -- source link
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