ITALIAN SHEATH KNIFE

18th century-1800. 10" length. Brass mounted one piece faceted horn hilt. Each side with two engraved brass inlays. Brass pommel and backstrap and base mount with engraved decoration as well. 6 1/2" wedge section blade with integral baluster bolster. The back decorated with dimple and scroll chiseling, which flanks a thumb rest toward the point. That feature allows the knife to be used with two hands for fleshing or hide scraping suggesting that it was a hunting knife. However, as possession of weapons by commoners was restricted in many areas, it more likely was a subterfuge to excuse the knife as a tool when in fact it was carried as a weapon in the same way that "gunner's stilettos” were carried to circumvent the ban on stilettos.