Side-sword

A side-sword was a type of war sword used by infantry during the Renaissance of Europe. This sword was a direct descendant of the knight's sword or more appropriately long-sword. Quite popular between the 16th and 17th centuries they were ideal for handling the mix of armored and unarmored opponents of that time. Early versions look very much like a single-handed long-sword with an ornate hilt and ricasso. A new technique of placing one's finger on the ricasso for the grip (which would continue in the rapier) lead to the production of hilts including a guard for the finger.

This sword design eventually lead to the development of the civilian rapier, but it was not replaced by it. While correct to call it an early rapier as it gave birth to the true rapier, it continued to be in use for the extent of the rapier's life time. As it could be used for both cutting and thrusting, the catch all cut and thrust sword is sometimes used interchangeably with side-sword. This term along with early renaissance sword is an inaccurate misnomer. Also of note, is that as rapiers became more popular attempts were made to hybridize the blade sacrificing the effectiveness found in each unique weapon design. These are still considered side-swords and are incorrectly labeled sword rapier or cutting rapier by modern collectors. See European dueling sword for further history.

Also of note, side-swords use in conjunction with bucklers became so popular, that it caused the term swashbuckler to be coined. This word stems from the new fighting style of the side-sword and buckler which was filled with much "swashing and making a noise on the buckler".