SMALLSWORD
A French innovation of the 1650's, the smallsword was essentially the final form of the rapier and considered by many to be the crowning achievement in "sword evolution." Light, quick, and deadly in the hands of one skilled in its use, the smallsword was the discerning gentleman's sidearm of choice from the mid 17th to the early 19th century and, during one particularly bloody ten year period of French history, directly responsible for the deaths of over 4,000 French noblemen.
Smallswords featured a stiff triangular blade solely suitable for thrusting and a simple guard for the hand, usually consisting of nothing more than a small plate, finger guard, and knuckle-bow. Some smallswords did have the last several inches of the blade sharpened to ease entry into the an opponent's body and to dissuade said opponent from grasping your blade.
As the smallsword was a vital part of any well dressed gentleman's attire, the hilt and scabbard were often highly ornamented in silver, gold, and precious stones. Some even had a selection of interchangeable hilts that could be swapped out to perfectly complement any outfit!
A French innovation of the 1650's, the smallsword was essentially the final form of the rapier and considered by many to be the crowning achievement in "sword evolution." Light, quick, and deadly in the hands of one skilled in its use, the smallsword was the discerning gentleman's sidearm of choice from the mid 17th to the early 19th century and, during one particularly bloody ten year period of French history, directly responsible for the deaths of over 4,000 French noblemen.
Smallswords featured a stiff triangular blade solely suitable for thrusting and a simple guard for the hand, usually consisting of nothing more than a small plate, finger guard, and knuckle-bow. Some smallswords did have the last several inches of the blade sharpened to ease entry into the an opponent's body and to dissuade said opponent from grasping your blade.
As the smallsword was a vital part of any well dressed gentleman's attire, the hilt and scabbard were often highly ornamented in silver, gold, and precious stones. Some even had a selection of interchangeable hilts that could be swapped out to perfectly complement any outfit!