490860 Parrying dagger, c.1580-1610 (steel with copper wire) by Italian School; 26.5x8.4 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: The perforations within the blade were meant to provide elasticity, preventing it from snapping during vigorous parries. The serrations were arranged not for producing an unpleasant wound, but for securing attachment of the adversary\'s blade. ); Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance; Italian, out of copyright.