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Broadsword
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term broadsword is used to refer to different types of swords, across many cultures and time periods.
- During the 17th through 19th centuries, the term referred to contemporary European straight double-edged basket-hilted swords, like the Italian schiavona and the Scottish claymore. Surviving examples of such swords are around 105 cm long (90 cm of which is blade) with a base blade width of 3.5 cm and a mass of about one kilogram.
- Later in this period, the term was applied to any broad-bladed military sword, including the sabre and the backsword, as opposed to the comparatively slimmer-bladed rapier, smallsword, and épée. In the late 19th century, museum curators began to use the term retroactively to refer to the Medieval arming sword and longsword, which remains the popular usage today.
Broadsword has its roots in the 17th century. Today this term is a misnomer, because the name "broadsword" refers to medieval blades that appeared during the 19th century together with Victorian collectors. "Broadsword" is now used mainly by collectors and museum curators.
The defining characteristic of a broadsword is its wide (relative to a modern foil, sabre or epee used for fencing) blade which is used mainly for cutting. Most of the time it also has a point that can be used for thrusting.
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