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Originally Posted by Matchlock
Hi Dmitry,
The only differentiation I know is that the shorter rapiers belonged to foot soldiers (calivermen and musketeers) while the longer ones were employed by calvarymen.
Best,
Michael
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Hi, Michael.
I'm still not convinced that this was a martial sword as opposed to a civilian's personal weapon.
As far as the blade lengths go, in England at least, in the late 1500s-early 1600s the length was regulated to be no more than a yard or so, and swords were randomly measured by government officials in the streets, and blades that were too long were broken short or taken away. I remember reading a period account regarding the French ambassador who got into trouble because his was way too long.