[Low-Tech] Smallsword with the Bronze Age 'Rapier?'

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Rasna

The Knife or Shortsword skill (depending on size) would be more appropriate. These improperly called "rapiers" were actually capable of dealing cutting blows as much as thrusts.

The non-Bronze age swords actually called "rapiers" were capable of both cuts ands thrusts too. The standard Gurps thrust only Rapier is a historical chimera. There were some thrust only smallswords but even those weren't the rule.

[Rasna]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

The non-Bronze age swords actually called "rapiers" were capable of both cuts ands thrusts too. The standard Gurps thrust only Rapier is a historical chimera. There were some thrust only smallswords but even those weren't the rule.

With these improperly called "rapier" I'm actually referring to them: the Bronze Age "rapier" swords. Not to GURPS Rapier.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Rasna

With these improperly called "rapier" I'm actually referring to them: the Bronze Age "rapier" swords. Not to GURPS Rapier.

I was trying to indicate that it was not the ability to both cut and thrust that made these "improper" rapiers.

[DanHoward]

The longest one so far uncovered was found at Zafer Papoura on Crete and is 1.16m long. These swords tend to have a thick medial ridge because it is the simplest way to get the metal to reliably flow all the way along the mold. They can be used for cutting but the medial ridge prevents the edge from biting very deeply. I don't think they are balanced the same as a rapier and they weren't intended for blade-to-blade combat so probably shouldn't use the Fencing skill. The best research into the functionality of these was done by Barry Molloy. He reckons that the battle damage on extant examples is consistent with sword-on-shield impact, not sword-on-sword impact.

[Pursuivant]

So the basic concept is a narrow bronze thrust-only knife- or sword-like weapon?

Use the stats for an Estoc, Tuck, or Large/Small Stiletto depending on length, change the material to Bronze, adjust damage and breakage stats as appropriate, and change TL from 3 or 4 to 1.

While the GURPS melee weapons catalog is extensive it isn't comprehensive. When you run across an oddball weapon think which existing weapons come closest, then fiddle with the stats as necessary.

[Prince Charon]

Originally Posted by Pursuivant

So the basic concept is a narrow bronze thrust-only knife- or sword-like weapon?

Use the stats for an Estoc, Tuck, or Large/Small Stiletto depending on length, change the material to Bronze, adjust damage and breakage stats as appropriate, and change TL from 3 or 4 to 1.

While the GURPS melee weapons catalog is extensive it isn't comprehensive. When you run across an oddball weapon think which existing weapons come closest, then fiddle with the stats as necessary.

I hadn't considered the estoc/tuck, so thank you.

On another note, the whole thing with the blades being riveted to the hilt because there's basically no tangs for them yet. I was thinking that this gives a penalty to resist breakage when swinging or impacted from the side, but is no problem (or too small a problem at the usual GURPS level of resolution) on the thrust. My current thinking is that the tangless riveted blades are either '-2 to resist breakage with three or fewer rivets, and -1 with four or more,' or '-2 with two rivets and -1 with three or more.' Not sure which fits better, and I might be further off than that.

[Donny Brook]

Riveted handles would be too fragile for any rugged or sustained use. I can only think they were ceremonial. For GURPS breakage they would be "cheap", or worse.