Classification of swords#Great sword

Some of these terms originate contemporaneously with the weapons which they describe. Others are modern or early modern terms used by antiquarians, curators, and modern-day sword enthusiasts for historical swords.

Terminology was further complicated by terms introducede.g., "hand-and-a-half sword", "single-handed sword", "Pappenheimer"[{{cite web|url=http://www.myarmoury.com/review_pmc_papp.html |title=Pappenheimer Sword |publisher=myArmoury.com |access-date=2015-10-08}} {{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pappenheimer |title=Pappenheimer | Define Pappenheimer at Dictionary.com |publisher=Dictionary.reference.com |access-date=2015-10-08}}] "Walloon sword", "Sinclair Sabre", "Mortuary sword", "spada da lato", "town sword", etc. or misinterpretede.g., bastard sword, broadsword [{{cite web|url=http://www.thearma.org/essays/broadsword.htm |title=Broadswords |publisher=Thearma.org |access-date=2015-10-08}}{{cite web|url=http://visual.merriam-webster.com/society/weapons/thrusting-cutting-weapons_1.php |title=SOCIETY :: WEAPONS :: THRUSTING AND CUTTING WEAPONS [1] image – Visual Dictionary Online |publisher=Visual.merriam-webster.com |date=2008-10-29 |access-date=2015-10-08}}] rapier{{cite web|url=http://www.salvatorfabris.org/WhatIsTheRapier2.shtml |title=The rapier revisited |publisher=Salvatorfabris.org |date=1970-01-01 |access-date=2015-10-08}}, estoc, flamberge, etc. in the 19th century by antiquarians and in 20th century pop culture,sword and sorcery fiction, role playing games, fighting games, etc. and by the addition of new terms such as "great sword", "Zweihänder" (instead of Beidhänder), and "cut-and-thrust sword".[https://books.google.com/books?id=-9YBAAAACAAJ&q=Renaissance+Swordsmanship:+The+Illustrated+Book+Of+Rapiers+And+Cut+And+Thrust+Swords+And+Their+Use "cut-and-thrust sword"] Historical European Martial Arts associations have turned the term spada da latoA term that was coined by Italian curators into "side-sword". Furthermore, there is a deprecation of the term "broadsword" by these associations. All these newly introduced or redefined terms add to the confusion of the matter.

{{anchor|Bastard sword}}The most well-known systematic typology of blade types of the European medieval sword is the Oakeshott typology, although this is also a modern classification and not a medieval one. Elizabethans used descriptive terms such as "short", "bastard", and "long" which emphasized the length of the blade, and "two-handed" for any sword that could be wielded by two hands.

File:427 20100912 bt shanghai museum (4987754808).jpg era jian (double edged sword)|439x439px]]

The term two-handed sword may refer to any large sword designed to be used primarily with two hands:

• the European longsword, popular in the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance.
• the Scottish late medieval claymore (not to be confused with the basket-hilted claymore of the 18th century)
• the Bidenhänder sword favored by the Landsknechte of 16th-century Germany

The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century).

During the first half of the 20th century, the term "bastard sword" was used regularly to refer to this type of sword, while "long sword" or "long-sword" referred to the rapier (in the context of Renaissance or Early Modern fencing).

The term "single-handed sword" or "one-handed sword" was coined to distinguish from "two-handed" or "hand-and-a-half" swords.

"Single-handed sword" is used by Sir Walter Scott.in Death of the Laird's Jock (1831). It is also used as a possible gloss of the obscure term tonsword by Nares (1822);Robert Nares, A glossary; or, Collection of words ... which have been thought to require illustration, in the works of English authors (1822). "one-handed sword" is somewhat later, recorded from {{Circa|1850}}.

Some swords were designed for left-hand use, although left-handed swords have been described as "a rarity".Tony Willis, "A Pair of Scottish Swords", [http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/mactom/scotpair.jpg Page One], [http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/mactom/scotpair2.jpg Page Two], [http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/mactom/scotpair3.jpg Page Three], [http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/mactom/scotpair4.jpg Page Four].

Great swords or greatswords are related to the long swords of the Middle Ages.{{Cite Q|Q105271484|pages=42-46}}Oakeshott, Ewart. Records of the Medieval Sword. Boydell Press 1991. Page 89 and 95.{{cite book|title=Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis: Indices (pp. v-ccxvi) & "Extraits des observations sur l'Histoire de Saint Louis"|author1=Du Fresne Du Cange, C.|author2=Henschel, G.A.L.|author3=Carpentier, P.|author4=Adelung, J.C.|author5=Favre, L.|author6=Freher, M.|author7=Scaliger, J.J.|author8=Welser, M.|year=1887|publisher=L. Favre|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0fcUAAAAQAAJ}}{{dubious|date=August 2013}} The great sword was developed during the Renaissance, but its earlier cousin the Scottish Claymore was very similar in size and use, like the "outsized specimens" between {{convert|160|and|180|cm|abbr=on}} (approx. the same height as the user) such as the Oakeshott type XIIa or Oakeshott type XIIIa. These swords were too heavy to be wielded one-handed and possessed a large grip for leverage.

The Scottish name "claymore" ({{langx|gd|claidheamh mór}}, lit. "large/great sword"){{cite web|url=http://www.chambers.co.uk/search.php?query=claymore&title=21st|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928040058/http://www.chambers.co.uk/search.php?query=claymore&title=21st|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-09-28|title=Search Chambers - Free English Dictionary|publisher=chambers.co.uk|access-date=2014-05-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jacobites.info/weapon_claymore.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915022745/http://jacobites.info/weapon_claymore.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-09-15|title=Claymore|publisher=jacobites.info|access-date=2014-05-27}} can refer to either the longsword with a distinctive two-handed grip, or the basket-hilted sword.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} The two-handed claymore is an early Scottish version of a greatsword.

The Zweihänder ("two-hander") or Beidhänder ("both-hander") is a true two-handed sword, in the sense that it cannot be wielded in only one hand. It was a specialist weapon wielded by certain Landsknechte (mercenary soldiers), so-called Doppelsöldners.

File:Western Han Iron Swords.jpg {{lang|zh-latn|Jian}} swords (above)|408x408px]]

These are double-edged, usually straight-bladed swords, designed for optimized balance, reach and versatility.

{{lang|it|Jian}} ({{zh|t=劍|s=剑|p=jiàn}}; Cantonese: {{lang|yue-Latn|gim}}) is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the {{lang|zh-Latn|jian}} date to the 7th century BC during the Spring and Autumn period;Ebrey 1999, p. 41 one of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian. Historical one-handed versions have blades varying from {{convert|45|to|80|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length. The weight of an average sword of {{convert|70|cm|abbr=on}} blade-length would weigh about {{convert|700|to|900|g|lb|abbr=on}}.Rodell 2003, p. 19 There are also larger two-handed versions used by ancient and medieval armies and for training by many styles of Chinese martial arts. Two handed jians from the time of the Chu and Han dynasty were up to {{convert|58|in|cm|abbr=on}} long.

In modern times, the term longsword most frequently refers to a late Medieval and Renaissance weapon designed for use with two hands. The German {{lang|de|langes Schwert}} ("long sword") in 15th-century manuals did not necessarily denote a type of weapon, but the technique of fencing with both hands at the hilt.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}

The French {{lang|fr|épée bâtarde}} and the English bastard sword originate in the 15th or 16th century,{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} originally having the general sense of "irregular sword or sword of uncertain origin". It was "[a sword] which was neither French, nor Spanish, nor properly {{lang|de|Landsknecht}} [German], but longer than any of these sturdy swords."{{lang|fr|"Qui n'était ni Française, ni Espagnole, ni proprement Lansquenette, mais plus longue que ces fortes épées."}} {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UCY_AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA129 |title=Oeuvres |first1=François |last1=Rabelais |first2=César |last2=de Missy |first3=Jacob |last3=Le Duchat |first4=Louis-Fabricius |last4=Dubourg |first5=Bernard |last5=Picart |first6=Pieter |last6=Tanjé |first7=Balthasar |last7=Bernaerts |first8=Jacob |last8=Folkema |page=129 |via=Google Books|access-date=2022-08-27|year=1741 |publisher=Jean-Frédéric Bernard}} {{lang|fr|Espée bastarde}} could also historically refer to a single-handed sword with a fairly long blade compared to other short swords.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZRcVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA51 |title=Dictionnaire historique de l'ancien langage françois |first1=Georges Jean |last1=Mouchet |first2=Léon Louis |last2=Pajot |first3=Léopold |last3=Favre |publisher=L. Favre |volume=6 |year=1879 |language=fr |via=Google Books|access-date=2022-08-27}}

Joseph Swetnam states that the bastard sword is midway in length between an arming sword and a long sword, and Randall Cotgrave's definition seems to imply this, as well. The French {{lang|fr|épée de passot}} was also known as {{lang|fr|épée bâtarde}}{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} (i.e., bastard sword) and also {{lang|fr|coustille à croix}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aoIH0RDluwUC&q=COUSTILLE+%C3%A0+CROIX&pg=PA116 |title=Notes and Queries |year=1890 |page=116 |via=Google Books|access-date=2015-10-08}} (literally a cross-hilted blade). The term referred to a medieval single-handed sword optimized for thrusting.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AYM-AAAAcAAJ&q=longue+epee&pg=PA129 |title=Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue françoise |volume=1 |publisher=Briasson |language=fr |first1=Gilles |last1=Ménage |first2=Pierre |last2=Besnier |first3=Pierre |last3=Borel |first4=Auguste François |last4=Jault |first5=Claude |last5=Chastelain |first6=Pierre |last6=de Caseneuve |first7=H. P. Simon |last7=de Val-Hébert |page=129 |via=Google Books|access-date=2015-10-08 |year=1750 }} The {{lang|fr|épée de passot}} was the sidearm of the {{lang|fr|franc-archers}} (French or Breton bowmen of the 15th and 16th centuries).{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cT28RzoK_YAC&q=%C3%A9p%C3%A9e+de+passot&pg=RA1-PA563 |title=Dictionnaire étymologique, critique, historique, anecdotique et littéraire ... - François-Joseph-Michel Noël |page=563 |via=Google Books|access-date=2015-10-08|last1=Noël |first1=François-Joseph-Michel |year=1857 }} The term {{lang|fr|passot}} comes from the fact that these swords passed ({{lang|fr|passaient}}) the length of a "normal" short sword.

The "Masters of Defence" competition organised by Henry VIII in July 1540 listed{{cite web|url=http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=27500&sid=676c6db843722a1d15120893efbd544c |title=Sword types in prize playing - The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts |publisher=Thearma.org |access-date=2015-10-08}} "two hande sworde", "bastard sworde", and "longe sworde" as separate items (as it should in Joseph Swetnam's context).Joseph Strutt, The sports and pastimes of the people of England from the earliest period: including the rural and domestic recreations, May games, mummeries, pageants, processions and pompous spectacles, 1801, [https://books.google.com/books?id=eJwSAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22long+sword%22++%22bastard+sword%22&pg=PA211 p. 211].{{cite web |url=http://iceweasel.org/lmod_analysis.html |title=London Masters of Defense |publisher=Iceweasel.org |date=1998-05-29 |access-date=2015-10-08 |archive-date=2015-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230152744/http://iceweasel.org/lmod_analysis.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://iceweasel.org/lmod.html |title=The London Masters of Defense |publisher=Iceweasel.org |access-date=2015-10-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225000825/http://iceweasel.org/lmod_analysis.html |archive-date=2021-02-25}}{{sps|date=August 2022}}

Antiquarian usage in the 19th century established the use of "bastard sword" as referring unambiguously to these large swords.Oakeshott (1980). However, George Silver and Joseph Swetnam refer to them merely as "two hande sworde". The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century).{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cGgPAAAAYAAJ&q=%2B%22hand-and-a-half%22+ |title=Exhibition of the Royal House of Tudor |via=Google Books|access-date=2015-10-08|last1=New Gallery (London |first1=England) |year=1890 }} During the first half of the 20th century, the term "bastard sword" was used regularly to refer to this type of sword.{{cite book|last=Cox|first=Trenchard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CpYKAQAAIAAJ&q=%22long+sword%22++%22bastard+sword%22|title=A General Guide to the Wallace Collection |publisher=Wallace Collection |location=London, England|date=2009-02-23|isbn=|pages=|access-date=2015-10-08|via=Google Books}}

The Elizabethan long sword (cf. George Silver{{cite web |url=http://www.umass.edu/renaissance/lord/pdfs/Silver_1599.pdf |title=The Raymond J. Lord Collection of Historical Combat Treatises and fencing manuals: Terms of Use |publisher=Umass.edu |access-date=2015-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629204633/http://www.umass.edu/renaissance/lord/pdfs/Silver_1599.pdf |archive-date=2017-06-29 |url-status=dead }} and Joseph Swetnam) is a single-handed "cut-and-thrust" sword with a {{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} blade{{cite web |url=http://historical-academy.co.uk/blog/2011/07/29/a-perfect-length-ii-the-longsword/ |title=A Perfect Length II: The Longsword | Encased in Steel |publisher=Historical-academy.co.uk |date=2011-07-29 |access-date=2015-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203202734/http://historical-academy.co.uk/blog/2011/07/29/a-perfect-length-ii-the-longsword/ |archive-date=2013-12-03 |url-status=dead }} similar to the long rapier. "Let thy (long) Rapier or (long) Sword be foure foote at the least, and thy dagger two foote." Historical terms (15th to 16th century) for this type of sword included the Italian {{lang|it|spada longa (lunga)}} and French {{lang|it|épée longue}}.

The term longsword has been used to refer to different kinds of sword depending on historical context:

• {{lang|de|Zweihänder}} or two-hander, a late Renaissance sword of the 16th century {{lang|de|Landsknechte}}, the longest sword of all;
• the long "side sword" or "rapier" with a cutting edge (the Elizabethan long sword).

The {{lang|la|spatha}} was a double-edged longsword used by the Romans. The idea for the {{lang|la|spatha}} came from the swords of ancient Celts in Germany and Britain. It was longer than the {{lang|la|gladius}}, and had more reach, so the {{lang|la|spatha}} was most popular with soldiers in the cavalry. The blade could range between {{convert|0.5|and|1|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us}} long while the handle was usually between {{convert|18|and|20|cm|in|abbr=on|frac=2|sp=us}}.

• Claymore{{cite book|title=A Tour in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides, 1772|author=Pennant, T.|year=1776|issue=v. 2|publisher=B. White|url=https://archive.org/details/atourinscotland01penngoog}}
• Basket-hilted sword{{cite web|url=http://www.myarmoury.com/feature_euroedge.html#broadsword|title=Forms of European Edged Weaponry |work=myArmoury.com|access-date=2014-05-27}}
• Sabre{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3noSAAAAIAAJ&q=broad-sword&pg=PA225 |title=Boyer's French Dictionary |author1=Abel Boyer |author2=William Bentley Fowle |year=1835 |page=225 |via=Google Books|access-date=2015-10-08}}

The term "broadsword" was never used historically to describe the one-handed arming sword.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} The arming sword was wrongly labelled a broadsword by antiquarians as the medieval swords were similar in blade width to the military swords of the day (that were also sometimes labeled as broadswords) and broader than the dueling swords and ceremonial dress swords.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}

Knives such as the seax and other blades of similar length between {{convert|1|and|2|ft|cm|-1|order=flip|abbr=on}}, they are sometimes construed as swords because of their longer blades. This is especially the case for weapons from antiquity, made before the development of high quality steel that is necessary for longer swords, in particular:

• Iron Age swords:
• Seax, a tool and weapon, common in Northern Europe.
• {{lang|la|Gladius}}, an early ancient Roman thrusting shortsword for legionaries{{cite encyclopedia |title=Romeinse Rijk §3.1 Landmacht |encyclopedia=Encarta Encyclopedie Winkler Prins |date=2002 |publisher=Microsoft Corporation/Het Spectrum |language=nl}}
• {{lang|grc-Latn|Xiphos}}, a double-edged, single-hand blade used by the ancient Greeks;
• Certain Renaissance-era sidearms:
• Baselard, a late medieval heavy dagger;
• {{lang|it|Cinquedea}}, a civilian long dagger;
• Dirk, the Scottish long dagger ({{lang|gd|biodag}});
• Hanger or wood-knife, a type of hunting sword or infantry sabre;
• Certain fascine knives:
• Model 1832 Foot Artillery Sword, is a short sword designed after the Roman {{lang|la|gladius}} with a blade length around {{convert|64|cm|abbr=on}} in length. It was also known as a {{lang|fr|coupe-chou}} (literally "cabbage cutter") in France.

Oversized two-handers used as parade swords or ceremonial weapons often exceeded the length and weight of practical weapons of war.

The edgeless swords category comprises weapons which are related to or labelled as "swords" but do not emphasise hacking or slashing techniques or have any cutting edges whatsoever. The majority of these elongated weapons were designed for agility, precision and rapid thrusting blows to exploit gaps in the enemy's defences; the major joints of the arms, the opening in a visor. However they mainly saw prominence outside the battlefield as a duelling weapon.

The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' crossguards since the Late Middle Ages.

In modern times, this variety of sword is also sometimes referred to as the broadsword.{{cite web|url=http://www.thearma.org/essays/broadsword.htm|title=Broadswords|publisher=thearma.org|access-date=2014-05-27}}{{cite Q|Q105271714|pages=156, 173, 175}}

{{main|Xiphos}}

The {{lang|grc-Latn|Spartiatēs}} were always armed with a {{lang|grc-Latn|xiphos}} as a secondary weapon. Among most Greek warriors, this weapon had an iron blade of about {{convert|60|cm|abbr=on}}. The Spartan version of the sword typically had a blade about {{convert|30|to|45|cm|abbr=on}} in length. The Spartan's shorter weapon proved deadly in the crush caused by colliding phalanx formations, as it was far more capable of being thrust through gaps in the enemy's shield wall and armour, where there was little to no room for longer edged weapons. The groin and throat were among the favourite targets.

{{main|Rapier}}

The term "rapier" appeared in the English lexicon via the French {{lang|fr|épée rapière}} which either compared the weapon to a rasp or file; it may be a corruption of "rasping sword"{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rapier |title=Rapier |publisher=Dictionary.reference.com |access-date=2015-10-08}} which referred to the sound the blade makes{{cite web|url=http://www.lemondededartagnan.fr/SITE/ENG/cape_epeehisto.htm |title=Le Monde De D'Artagnan |language=fr |publisher=Lemondededartagnan.fr |access-date=2015-10-08}} when it comes into contact with another blade. There is no historical Italian equivalent to the English word "rapier".

Some swords categorised as rapiers are completely edgeless or have only a partially sharpened blade, however the majority have effective cutting blades.

The {{lang|de|Panzerstecher}} ("armour stabber") is a German and East European weapon with a long, edgeless blade of square or triangular cross-section for penetrating armour.{{cite web|url=http://www.dict.cc/german-english/Panzerstecher+%5BBlankwaffe%5D.html |title=dictionary :: Panzerstecher [Blankwaffe] :: German-English translation |publisher=Dict.cc |access-date=2015-10-08}}{{cite web|url=http://www.myarmoury.com/review_mrl_estoc.html |title=English Tuck (Estoc) |publisher=myArmoury.com |access-date=2015-10-08}}{{cite web |url=http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?48815-What-s-a-Panzerstecher |title=What's a Panzerstecher? |publisher=Swordforum.com |access-date=2015-10-08 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112916/http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?48815-What-s-a-Panzerstecher |url-status=dead }} Early models were either two-handers or "hand-and-a-half" hilted,{{cite web|url=http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/211938.html?mulR=22466 |title=Philadelphia Museum of Art - Collections Object : Tuck (Panzerstecher) |publisher=Philamuseum.org |access-date=2015-10-08}} while later 16th and 17th century models (also known as koncerz) were one-handed and used by cavalry.{{Cite web |url=http://www.hermann-historica.de/auktion/hhm48.pl?f=NR&c=38382&t=temartic_1_D&db=kat48_1.txt |title = Hermann Historica - Internationales Auktionshaus für Antiken, Alte Wa… |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130206111414/http://www.hermann-historica.de/auktion/hhm48.pl?f=NR&c=38382&t=temartic_1_D&db=kat48_1.txt |archive-date=6 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}

The "tuck" (French {{lang|fr|estoc}}, Italian {{lang|it|stocco}}){{citation needed|date=September 2013}} is an edgeless blade of square or triangular cross-section used for thrusting.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} In French, {{lang|fr|estoc}} also means thrust or point; and {{lang|fr|estoc et taille}} means cut and thrust.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}

The tuck may also get its name from the verb "to tuck" which means "to shorten".{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}

{{main|Small sword}}

The small sword or smallsword (also court sword or dress sword, {{langx|fr|épée de cour}}){{citation needed|date=September 2013}} is a light one-handed sword designed for thrusting{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} which evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier of the late Renaissance.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} The height of the small sword's popularity was between the mid-17th and late 18th century.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} It is thought to have appeared in France and spread quickly across the rest of Europe.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} The small sword was the immediate predecessor of the Épée de Combat from which the Épée developedEvangelista, Nick. ''The Encyclopedia of the Sword. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1995. p. 208 and its method of use—as typified in the works of such authors as Sieur de Liancour, Domenico Angelo, Monsieur J. Olivier, and Monsieur L'Abbat—developed into the techniques of the French classical school of fencing.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} Small swords were also used as status symbols and fashion accessories; for most of the 18th century anyone, civilian or military, with pretensions to gentlemanly status would have worn a small sword on a daily basis.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}

{{main|Single-edged sword}}

These are single-cutting edged, usually thick or curved construction bladed swords, typically designed for stonger slashing, chopping, severing limbs, tripping or broad sweeping techniques; but were often very poorly designed for stabbing. Swordsmen were trained to use the bladed side in circumventing an opponent's protected flank (known as "curve into the guard"), and the dulled side for defensive and blocking techniques. The curve automatically makes a swing draw an arc making it much easier to slash.

{{main|Backsword}}

The backsword was a single-edged, straight-bladed sword, typically for military use. This type of sword had a thickened back to the blade (opposite the cutting edge), which gave the blade strength. The backsword blade was cheaper to manufacture than a two-edged blade. This type of sword was first developed in Europe in the 15th century and reflected the emergence of asymmetric guards, which made a two-edged blade somewhat redundant. The backsword reached its greatest use in the 17th and 18th century when many cavalry swords, such as the British 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword, were of this form.

{{main|Dao (Chinese sword)}}

{{lang|zh-Latn|Dao}} are single-edged Chinese swords, primarily used for slashing and chopping. The most common form is also known as the {{nowrap|Chinese sabre}}, although those with wider blades are sometimes referred to as {{nowrap|Chinese broadswords}}. In China, the dao is considered one of the four traditional weapons, along with the {{lang|zh-Latn|gun}} (stick or staff), {{lang|zh-Latn|qiang}} (spear), and the {{lang|zh-Latn|jian}} (sword). It is considered "The General of All Weapons".

{{main|Hook sword}}

The hook sword, twin hooks, {{lang|zh-Latn|fu tao}} or {{lang|zh-Latn|shuang gou}} ({{zh|t=鈎 or 鉤|s=钩|p=Gou}}), also known as {{lang|zh-Latn|hu tou gou}} (tiger head hook), is a Chinese weapon traditionally associated with northern styles of Chinese martial arts and Wushu weapons routines, but now often practiced by southern styles as well.

{{main|kopis}}

Unlike the {{lang|grc-Latn|xiphos}}, which is a thrusting weapon, the {{lang|grc-Latn|kopis}} was a hacking weapon in the form of a thick, curved single edged iron sword. In Athenian art, Spartan hoplites were often depicted using a {{lang|grc-Latn|kopis}} instead of the {{lang|grc-Latn|xiphos}}, as the {{lang|grc-Latn|kopis}} was seen as a quintessential "villain" weapon in Greek eyes.{{cite web|url=http://www.ancientmilitary.com/spartan-weapons.htm |title=Spartan Weapons |publisher=Ancientmilitary.com |access-date=2015-10-08}}

{{main|Khopesh}}

The khopesh is an ancient Egyptian curved short sword with a overall length of approx. {{convert|50|to|60|cm|abbr=on}} and was typically made of bronze or iron.

{{main|katana}}

Historically, {{Nihongo|katana|刀}} were one of the traditionally made {{Nihongo|Japanese swords|日本刀|nihontō|nihon=Japan tō=sword}}{{cite Q|Q105271716|publisher=Peter Lang |page=150}}{{cite Q|Q105271719|page=144}} that were used by the samurai of feudal Japan.{{Anchor|Nagayama}}{{Cite Q|author = Kokan Nagayama, trans. Kenji Mishina | publisher = Kodansha International Ltd.| location = Tokyo, Japan|Q105271721}} Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods. The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade usually with a round guard and long grip to accommodate two hands.

The hanger (obs. whinyard, whinger, cuttoe), wood-knife, or hunting sword is a long knife or short sword that hangs from the belt and was popular as both a hunting tool and weapon of war.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XnnlOcLAnBIC&q=hanger+wood-knife+hunting-swords&pg=PA14 |title=Hunting Weapons: From the Middle Ages to the Twentieth Century |author=Howard L. Blackmore |page=14 |via=Google Books|date= January 2000|publisher=Courier Corporation |isbn=9780486409610 |access-date=2015-10-08}}{{cite web|url=http://www.myarmoury.com/review_ve_hanger.html |title=European Hanger |publisher=myArmoury.com |access-date=2015-10-08}}

The falchion (French {{lang|fr|braquemart}},{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/glossairearcheol01gayv#page/212/mode/1up |title=Glossaire archéologique du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance |publisher=Paris, Société bibliographique |access-date=2015-10-08}} Spanish {{lang|es|bracamarte}}) proper is a wide straight-bladed but curved edged hanger or long knife.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/glossairearcheol01gayv#page/213/mode/1up |title=Glossaire archéologique du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance |publisher=Paris, Société bibliographique |access-date=2015-10-08}} The term 'falchion' may also refer to the early cutlass.

The cutlass or curtal-axe also known as a falchion (French {{lang|fr|badelaire, braquemart,{{cite web|url=http://www.guerriers-avalon.org/index.php?id=docs&cat=armement&page=braquemar |title=Les Guerriers d'Avalon |publisher=Guerriers-avalon.org |access-date=2015-10-08}} coutelas,{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/glossairearcheol01gayv#page/479/mode/1up |title=Glossaire archéologique du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance |publisher=Paris, Société bibliographique |access-date=2015-10-08}} malchus}}; Italian {{lang|it|coltellaccio, storta}}; German {{lang|goh|messer,{{cite web |url=http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/messerdrawing.htm |title=Historical Messer Drawings |publisher=Albion-swords.com |access-date=2015-10-08 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200717/http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/messerdrawing.htm |url-status=dead }} dussack, malchus}}) is a broad-bladed curved hanger or long knife. In later usage, 'cutlass' referred to the short naval boarding sabre.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}

{{main|Sabre}}

The British sabre, American saber, French {{lang|fr|sabre}}, Spanish {{lang|es|sable}}, Italian {{lang|it|sciabola}}, German {{lang|de|Säbel}}, Russian {{lang|ru-Latn|sablya}}, Hungarian {{lang|hu|szablya}}, Polish {{lang|pl|szabla}}, and Ukrainian {{lang|uk-Latn|shablya}} is a single-edged curved bladed cavalry sword.{{cite web|url=http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=108 |title=Ethnographic Arms & Armour - Article: Notes on the development of modern sabers - Role of Eastern Europe & the Hussars |publisher=Vikingsword.com |access-date=2015-10-08}}

The scimitar (French {{lang|fr|cimeterre}}, Italian {{lang|it|scimitarra}}) is a type of saber that came to refer in general to any sabre used by the Turks or Ottomans ({{lang|tr|kilic}}), Persians ({{lang|fa-Latn|shamshir}}) and more specifically the {{lang|grc-Latn|Stradioti}}{{cite web |url=http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Stradioti.html |title=Stradioti: Balkan Mercenaries In Fifteenth And Sixteenth Century Italy |publisher=Shsu.edu |access-date=2015-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924101628/http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Stradioti.html |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead }} (Albanian and Greek mercenaries who fought in the French-Italian Wars and were employed throughout Western Europe).{{cite web|url=http://littre.reverso.net/dictionnaire-francais/definition/estradiot/29286 |title=estradiot : définition de estradiot, citations, exemples et usage pour estradiot dans le dictionnaire de français Littré adapté du grand dictionnaire de la langue française d'Emile Littré |publisher=Littre.reverso.net |access-date=2015-10-08}}{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/glossairearcheol01gayv#page/382/mode/2up |title=Glossaire archéologique du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance |publisher=Paris, Société bibliographique |access-date=2015-10-08}} The scimitar proper was the {{lang|grc-Latn|Stradioti}} saber,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p9lA00v1LdUC&q=cimeterre+estradiots&pg=PA267 |title=Oeuvres complčtes de Bossuet |author=Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet |year=1863 |page=267 |via=Google Books|access-date=2015-10-08}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gMoOAQAAMAAJ&q=cimeterre+estradiots&pg=PT70 |title=Le costume historique: Cinq cents planches, trois cents en couleurs, or et ... |author=Auguste Racinet |year=1876 |via=Google Books|access-date=2015-10-08}} and the term was introduced into France by Philippe de Commines (1447 – 18 October 1511) as {{lang|fr|cimeterre}},{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CLFN_1R_jBgC&q=cimeterre+estradiots&pg=PA190 |title=Des princes français, rois de Sicile, rois de Naples |page=190 |via=Google Books|isbn=9782748377675 |access-date=2015-10-08|last1=Levasseur |first1=Michel |publisher=Société des Ecrivains }} Italy (especially the Venetian Republic who hired the {{lang|grc-Latn|stradioti}} as mercenaries) as {{lang|it|scimitarra}}, and England as cimeter or scimitar via the French and Italian terms.

• {{format link|List of premodern combat weapons#Swords}}
• Types of swords
• History of the sword
• Oakeshott typology

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Swords by region}}

Category:Lists of swords

Category:Edged and bladed weapons

Swords

Category:European swords