I saw a 'degenerate' version with a typical modern cast chrome plated hook, red fabric covering and rather unattractive modern aluminum coins for sale in Venice in the 1980s. This prepared me when I saw a 19th century version (picture below) for sale as an unknown "what-is-it?" in an antique shop in Copenhagen years later (for a much cheaper price). I had not seen one with the blades added to the head before and Gregory128's example is clearly the best example I have encountered to date.
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