Long Italian Stiletto, Probably Neapolitan, 19th Century

This dagger belongs to the stiletto family, due to its long, narrow blade. It is likely of Italian origin, based on its shape and the type of handle made of horn discs. It can be dated to the mid-19th century. Some authors suggest this type of stiletto originated in Naples.
These stilettos, with their long, very thin blades, allowed the wielder to inflict very deep wounds, extremely difficult to treat. Compared to other known stiletto models, our example has a particularly long blade.
BLADE : After a 3 cm ricasso, the blade has a triangular cross-section, with a single cutting edge that meets the point in a straight line. Blade length = 30.2 cm, width at the ricasso 1.9 cm, thickness at the ricasso = 2.8 mm.
HILT : It begins with a baluster that joins the blade to the horn section. It is made of stacked horn discs of different colors and metal discs. A final brass washer, to which the blade's tang is riveted, serves as a pommel.
SCABBARD: It is made of stitched leather. The scabbard's opening has a thick leather tab that allowed the weapon to be secured in the wide cotton belt worn around the waist in this region of the Mediterranean during the 19th century. The scabbard ends with a black leather chape, which is "en suite" with the scabbard's opening. A small brass plate at the chape is probably an old repair or reinforcement.
A nice and uncommon weapon due to the length of the blade.
Ref X2Y-25/2-08
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