‡AN ITALIAN GUNNERS STILETTO (FUESTTO DI BOMBARDIERE), MID-17TH CENTURY

‡AN ITALIAN GUNNERS STILETTO (FUESTTO DI BOMBARDIERE), MID-17TH CENTURY with tapering blade of triangular section engraved with calibrated graduations (worn), moulded baluster-shaped forte, steel hilt formed of a pair of spirally moulded quillons and pommel en suite, spirally carved horn grip inset with brass nails and bound with plaited brass wire 32.5 cm; 12 3/4 in blade Provenance The collection of His Imperial and Royal Highness, Archduke Eugen, from the Armoury, Fortress Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, sold 1st March 1927, lot 89, illustrated. George F. Harding Jr., Chicago Transferred to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1982, Acc. No. 1982.3476 For a discussion of Fuestto di Bombardiere see Mann 1931, pp. 46-50.