The story of the 'gunners dagger' is a curious and mysterious one, as we have uncovered in past discussions. Apparently the stiletto evolved from the earlier types of misercorde, narrow thrusting daggers used in medieval times for close in combat piercing mail, or in the legendary coup de grace.
It later became the weapon of assassins, easily concealed and naturally for no other purpose than a fatal thrust.
In Renaissance Italy, these deadly weapons were outlawed however in 1661 the notorious Council of Ten in Venice (known for their 'enforcement practices') pronounced an edict in 1661 authorizing only 'bonified artillerymen' to possess these. This was because it was claimed that these thin bladed weapons were used by artillerymen to 'spike' a gun if position had to be abandoned. To ostensibly carry this purpose further, there were graduated scales and often indiscernible numbers or characters engraved in the blades. With these 'properly adorned' daggers, many men 'legitimized' them being in their possession if questioned.
According to Sir James Mann (1931) in Brescia as early as 1571, there were stilettos with a blade which expanded into calipers for measuring the bore of a gun to match the shot. Later it was presumed that the calibration in the scales were to measure powder. Other suggestions were that the thin blade penetrated the sewn powder bags. Either way, corrosion on the blades of some examples known suggest exposure to black powder.
These fell out of use by early 18th century, although (according to Mann) there was a specific legal notice to someone named Antonio Spadone in 1728 granting him permission to have such a stiletto.
It would seem that while not popularly or widely worn about due to their sinister reputation and seemingly legal concerns, there seems to have been a fanciful attraction to them specifically to these characteristics.
Many examples fashioned in this invention carried unusually and often indiscernible metering in their engraved gauging. With that it is hard to say where in the 'spectrum' this example might fall. It does appear to be of notable age and probably 18th century as suggested. I'm really not aware of Victorian reproductions.
Most interesting piece!
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