While it may not apply in this case, some of the weapons of this size, in several cultures, were used by women as personal protection weapons, some made to be concealed in feminine clothing and others made so that they could be displayed, jewelery-like.
I've heard it mentioned that some of these were intended to be used, but not as a "weapon" in the traditional sense, but rather on themselves if they were dishonored, particularly in some Muslim regions where it was expected of rape victims.
Mike
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