On Swords

 IN PROGRESS

Due to their span of human history, their universal character across cultures, and their simplicity that speaks to the martial spirit, swords have always attracted the attention of men, even when their direct use in warcraft has been superseded by other weapons. If we split the word into large cultural zones, the European culture has produced and incorporated some of the most varied types of swords on Earth. Either to manage the cultural heritage, be it as antiques or as modern reproductions, or to group swords based on martial function, a classification of European swords is needed.

Ideas to consider

Let us look first at what ideas we should consider when constructing a classification. These should not be seen as infallible precepts, but more as guiding principles to aid us down the line. 

Morphological aspects of blades

• number of edges: one edge, two edges, asymmetrical two edges
• curvature: straight blade, curved blade, extremely-curved blade, negatively-curved blade
• profile: parallel edges, tapered edges, strongly-tapered edges, waved
• cross-section: octagonal, hexagonal, diamond, lenticular, hollow-ground, triangular
  
• fullers: broad fuller, single fuller, double fuller, triple fullers, quadruple fullers
• length size: long blade, short blade  
• width size: narrow-blade, broad-blade
  

Morphological aspects of hilts

• type: round, cruciform, swept-ring, shell, cup, basket
• use: sword, rapier, sabre, messer
  

Morphological aspects of pommels

• types: wheel, circular-section, squared, complex, cap 
• attachment: pinned, riveted, threaded, glued, pressure-fitted  
  

Morphological aspects of grips

• size: one hand, hand and a half, two hands
• construction: through-grip, slated-sides, wrap-grip
  
• longitudinal form: straight, pistol, tapered, wasted
  
• profile form: circular, oval, squared, hexagonal, octagonal, complex 

 Use of swords

• nature: military, civilian
  
• military-use: cavalry, infantry, auxiliary
  
• circumstance: battlefield, duel, self-defence, training
  

  Name of swords

• Arming-sword
• Backsword
• Basket-hilt
• Bilbo
• Broadsword
• Cinquedea
• Claymore
• Cutlass
• Dusack
• Estoc
• Falchion
• Hanger
• Hunting-sword
• Karabela
• Katzbalger
• Kilij
• Longswrod
• Messer
• Migration-sword
• Mortuary-hilt
• Pallasch
• Pappenheimer
• Paramerion
• Rapier
• Sabre
• Schiavona
• Schiavonesca
• Shashika
• Sidesword
• Smallsword
• Spada
• Spadroon
• Spadone
• Spadroon
• Stocco
• Storta
• Szabla
• Yatagan
• Zweihander