Bomber's stiletto, Centoventi, Misericordia, Brescia, circa 1630

Stiletto or Fusetto da Bombardiere, also known as "Centoventi", made of hand-forged wrought iron, long triangular blade decreasing towards the tip, the pommel, the guard and the handle, are made in the shape of a "spool", the latter, it has a faceted section in the center; furthermore, the definitions of these elements denote direct stylistic references to the places and period of production of this example which is believed to be Brescia or Venice in around 1630.

On one of the three flat surfaces of the sturdy blade, a ladder numbered from n. is engraved. 1 at no. 120, spaced from 2 to 10 non-sequential multiples; this particular numbering was conceived and expressly affixed on the Stilettos intended for the "Bombers", with the aim of making available to them an instrument through which they could measure the calibers of firearms and, consequently establish with due precision, the quantity of explosive mixture to be inserted inside their barrels, without running the risk of them exploding by using incorrect doses, or otherwise not obtaining sufficiently effective results from the shot.

Also in an ancient pamphlet by Angelo Angelucci (Director of the National Artillery Museum of Turin since 1862), it was written, trying to exclude that an insidious weapon, prohibited by all acts with legal value, could be carried by a soldier; and it was proven that, even if this were true, those notches on the blade were marked in an unreasonable manner and did not correspond to the correct diameters of the calibers noted and therefore useless to the Bombardier. Paradoxically, all this was also supported by the disregard of an ordinance of the Council of Ten, dated 15 July 1613 which allowed the Venetian bombers to bring the stiletto into the city without any restrictions. In Verona, however, the License for School Bombers said this: "The shaped style is only permitted in cases and for the use of its military use".

However the historical events actually happened, these particular Stilettos were certainly made and used by the Artillery Bombers, to carry out what they were designed for, even if this does not take away the fact that these were real insidious weapons, ready to act, strike and damage without being noticed.

This Bomber Stiletto is in complete condition, with no elements damaged or replaced over time. Particularly interesting for its historicity.