Spadroon

They may have single- or double-edged blades, and hilt types ranging from a simple stirrup guard, to double shells, and even further protection to the sides of the hand.

The important thing is that the spadroon is fast and agile, due to having little mass at the tip of the blade, and a hilt that does not restrict wrist mobility in any way.

[2]This description is not especially helpful, as spadroons can be found with a number of different hilt types, and there is little evidence of the Germans using such a term.

It likely derives from the French and Spanish espadon[3] or Italian spadone, which had in previous years referred to much larger swords to be used in two hands.

[4] In its double shell form, the spadroon can be traced to the Mortuary and Walloon hilted broadswords of the mid to late 17th century.

These were commonly military weapons fitted with broadsword blades, though many of the lighter examples could well be considered spadroons.

These were highly regarded weapons, as fencing masters Donald McBane and Sir William Hope attested.

Many of these swords share a lot in common with the double 1796 regulation spadroon, but are typically a little heavier and more robust.

Nonetheless it was the first standard outlined for army wide service, and so is commonly referred to as the 1786 pattern today but might be better described as the 1786 regulation.

One shell was often hinged so that the sword sat flush when wearing against the uniform, but this was not part of the regulation, and at the discretion of the purchaser.

It was one of three main weapons outlined in the key works of swordsmanship in that period, such as Charles Roworth's 1798 manual, 'The Art of Defence on Foot, with Broadsword and Sabre...to which are added Remarks on the Spadroon'.

A number of Historical Fencing, or HEMA clubs around the world are now pursuing modern day practice of the spadroon.