Short Swords & Cutlasses

Short swords’ blade lengths were at first regulated by the limitations of copper, bronze and iron. They developed across many cultures and dozens of shapes were developed. After steel became a common metal used to make swords, short swords stayed in use as with the Roman gladius, used almost exclusively for an underhanded stab. Short swords have been used throughout history; from the height of battle to Renaissance squires in close quarters combat, as well as in the confines of ship board with the cutlass.

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