Addendum: from Wells book
"Small Arms of the Spanish Treasure Fleets", Noel Wells, 2006, p.72
"...in Spain, the term rapier was often used to designate small swords, and the first such land patterns authorized for wear by officers began to appear in the middle of the 18th century. There were no designated sea service swords at this time, and if an officer or anyone of lower ranks wanted one, he either purchased a non-regulation sword or adopted an existing army model".
An intriguing and comprehensive book, which gives dynamic perspectives on the weaponry even including dogs and horses as used in warfare in these colonial situations, as well as the Indian arms.
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