Templar, thank you so much for posting this most unusual piece!
This indeed does appear to be a 'gunners stiletto' which is of a type of weapon better known as the 'fusetti' or bombardiers dagger from early types in use in the Venetian Republic mid 17th into early 18th c.
These earlier forms characteristically were marked with guaged numbers and marks in which often a degree of variation and style led to speculation that these were used to disguise them as gunners daggers. The reason for this was that such weapons as stilettos were proscribed to the general public and only permitted to bonafied artillerymen. While it is unclear how these were used, the most accepted possibilities are for measuring bore as well as measuring the intended projectile. In addition these thin bladed weapons were for puncturing the canvas or cloth measured bag of powder when rammed into barrel through the touchhole.
As well noted, these of course also served to clear the touchhole as it became fouled.........in the final case, these also served as a spike to disable cannon if they were to be abandoned, and as always as a weapon in case of position being overrun.
While the use of the fusetti is suggested to have fallen out of use by the earlier part of the 18th century according to Terenzi ("The Gunners Stiletto" Marcello Terenzi, 'Arms and Armor Annual' 1973 ed. R. Held. pp.170-79), it would seem that similar weapons would remain practical in other countries and accompanying the continued use of smoothbore ordnance.
These stilettos are also discussed by Sir James Mann in "Antiquaries Journal" Vo. XI, #1 , London, 1931.
This particular example by its neoclassic style, the grip shape and crosshatched design as well as the engraved cartouche with the letters and numbers in script seem to suggest 18th century France, perhaps even of Napoleonic period. Naturally it would take more to confirm that, but those are the indicators. As Napoleon himself was a 'gunner' it seems likely that officers in his ranks would have had conspicuous pride even beyond that normally held by artillerymen in course. In these times officers typically had custom made weapons, and in many cases they were gifts from proud family members or fellow officers or troops.
I am yet unclear on exactly how these serrations may have served in the presumed function of this piece, however thier deliberate presence as well as the thin blade itself profoundly identify this as a gunners dagger.
Best regards,
Jim
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