Smallsword
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Overview
A smallsword is a civilian thrusting sword defined by a blade of between 25 and 32 inches of triangular or diamond cross-section weighing in at around one pound. Colichimarde blades were not unknown, however. Most smallsword blades were mounted on elaborate hilts consisting of a knuckle-bow, clamshell guard, and two vestigial finger rings which define the ricasso. The majority of smallswords have wire wrapped grips, although there are leather, skin, wood, and solid metal grip in existence.
History
The smallsword is the evolution of the earlier dueling weapon, the rapier. As fencing in double time became more and more accepted by fencing masters, the rapier gradually diminished in size, losing all cutting capabilities but gaining in tip control and speed of recovery. The reduced length of the smallsword also caused to to be much more practical in crowded or enclosed spaces, where the much longer rapier blades would not have the space required for proper usage.
Most records of smallsword use show that it was primarly a dueling weapon and a civilian self defence weapon, as the extremely light blade which was incapable of cutting was not well suited for battlefield use.
Usage
The smallsword was gripped by pinching the ricasso with the second knuckle of the first finger and the pad of the thumb, giving excellent point control. Most smallsword systems are based upon four guards, the inside guard (Tierce), the outside guard (quarte), the hanging guard (seconde), and the half-circle guard (low tierce). Each of the guards usually corresponded to a thrust so that if a person thrusted in tierce the best defence would be an inside guard.
