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

[DanHoward]

Originally Posted by 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.

The grips weren't just riveted, they were also glued. Molloy proved that the combination was functional and perfectly capable of sustained use. I've used these swords and agree with his assessment. GURPS should give them no additional penalties to resist breakage.

There was no such thing as a ceremonial sword at the time. Even the most heavily decorated weapons and armour were intended for battle. Wealthy people for thousands of years were obsessed with conspicuous consumption. The whole point was to use these things up where everyone could see and then discard them for something even more ostentatious. There were no parade weapons and armour until the Renaissance. The only exception is for funerary items; some arms were made specifically to bury with the deceased.