Thread: Stilettos
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Old 28th September 2020, 03:27 AM   #9
Jim McDougall
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The stiletto evolved around end of the 16th c. and was most popular in the 17th c. These were truly examples of the artistry of steel chiseling and while it is often suggested these were used to spike threatened guns, it seems a shame to use these in that manner.

When these were used in Venice as gunners daggers (as previously discussed, in mid 17th c. (see "Gunners Daggers" Marcello Ferenzi, 'Arms & Armor Annual, 1973, pp.170-79). ...the mysterious calibrations degenerated into often spurious gauges to legitimize the possession of what were dangerous assassins weapons.
In those times only artillery gunners were allowed to have these 'fusetti'.
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