AN ITALIAN SHORTSWORD, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 18TH CENTURY

AN ITALIAN SHORTSWORD, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 18TH CENTURY, PROBABLY NEAPOLITAN OR SARDINIAN with curved fullered blade (rust patinated, one small hole), brass hilt of near pistol grip form, attached to the tang by three iron rivets, incorporating a lobated scrolling pommel formed as a monsterhead, decorated over its surface with traditional scrollwork and the sides with designs of foliage, the later date '1865' and the initial 'MJBD' 61.4 cm; 24 1/8 in blade