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Originally Posted by A Senefelder
I believe, from my short time around this forum that this is why Jim is " the man " so much of the time.
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Thank you Alan, not really though, its just that I love to research, learn, and try to share what I find. Its all about the search, and the most fun is when everybody really digs in and finds answers. You'll see that often old threads pop up when something is found...its all case NEVER closed and always finding new evidence!
For example, still looking on this one.
This dagger is virtually 'of the style' of Italian pugnale's of late 17th and well into the 18th as I found in the "Arms and Armour Annual" (ed. Robert Held, 1973). In an article on what are known as 'fusetti' or 'bombardier stilettos' which were thin bladed daggers with graduated scales on the blades the exact same hilt configuration is seen.Often these were carried by assassins as in those times only these military gunners were allowed these stilettos, which had been outlawed as insidious weapons earlier.
The baroque motif and symbols which allude to possible secret society or fraternal association along with the acanthus leaves suggest Victorian period gentry oriented classicism. While the blade suggests it is Italian, it would seem that the attraction to things Italian in England in fashion, literature etc. would have made this particular dagger with somewhat sinister allusions even more attractive.
These are my observations so far, and as always, I very much look forward to the views of others.
All the best,
Jim