Side Sword a.k.a.Cut and Thrust Sword


The Side sword was a common type of sword that was used in the 16th and 17th century. This was a very popular type of sword in England in the late 16th century, and continued being used into the 17th century. The Side sword is another form of Rapier, this sword is sometimes called an Early Rapier, but the truth is that this sword was being used at the same time as the Rapier was being used. While the Rapier was a purely civilian weapon, this sword could be used on the battle field as well as in town. Because of it’s length it was easy to carry while walking through towns. The area between the rings, called the Ricasso provided a place to hook the index finger without fear of it being cut off. By wrapping the index finger around the ricasso, the fencer was able to better utilize the point for thrusting. Because of the width of the blade this type of sword also performed cuts very well.

People often refer to this type of sword as a “Cut and Thrust” sword. This name is actually a misnomer. Almost all swords have the ability to cut and to thrust. Some swords are better at one or the other. A Rapier could therefore be called a “Thrust and Cut” sword. The Italians of the 16th century simply called this weapon a “Spada di Lato” or Edged Sword.

This sword could be used alone, or it could be used with a dagger or a buckler in the left hand. This use of the sword and buckler is were the term “Swashbuckler” comes from. In 16th Century England, students of the sword would challenge other people by swaggering and clashing their sword and buckler together. This action was called swashing your buckler. So these bravos were referred to as Swashbucklers. This was not a happy nick name.

Some of the historic masters treatises that we use in our study of this sword is Achille Marozzo's Opera Nova (1536) and Antonia Manciolino’s Opera Nova (1531)

 

Side sword from Museum Replicas, c Mid 16th Century

 



Contents Copyright © 2008-2009, Steaphen Fick