Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="Dr. Strangemonkey" data-source="post: 1439375" data-attributes="member: 6533">I would argue that the cut off date for swords as a practical weapon is much closer to the 1850 date mentioned earlier.Thing is the sword is always a weapon primarly for 'private' use.&nbsp; Aside from a few limited periods and circumstances, most military/public formations do not rely on the sword as the primary weapon.&nbsp; People who need to be prepared to fight under improvised circumstances use the sword.The gun isn't the issue, a culture that doesn't approve of large and unconcealed weaponry is.Through the 18th century the sword is still the preferred means of street and dueling defense.&nbsp; At the begining of the period everyone who has a right to wear a sword wears a sword around all the time, lessen they be a pacifist.&nbsp; By the end of the period the sword has largely dissapeared from use because weapons and street violence are far less common/approved. In areas where that isn't true, such as Japan or the American frontier, the revolver is the only firearm safe enough, light enough, rugged enough, lethal in the proper mode, and small enough to effectively replace it.Swords aren't practical, though, so if you think you'll be dealing with nature you do use something like an axe, knife, military fork, firearm, or big stick and except the military and practical disadvantages.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Dr. Strangemonkey, post: 1439375, member: 6533"] I would argue that the cut off date for swords as a practical weapon is much closer to the 1850 date mentioned earlier. Thing is the sword is always a weapon primarly for 'private' use. Aside from a few limited periods and circumstances, most military/public formations do not rely on the sword as the primary weapon. People who need to be prepared to fight under improvised circumstances use the sword. The gun isn't the issue, a culture that doesn't approve of large and unconcealed weaponry is. Through the 18th century the sword is still the preferred means of street and dueling defense. At the begining of the period everyone who has a right to wear a sword wears a sword around all the time, lessen they be a pacifist. By the end of the period the sword has largely dissapeared from use because weapons and street violence are far less common/approved. In areas where that isn't true, such as Japan or the American frontier, the revolver is the only firearm safe enough, light enough, rugged enough, lethal in the proper mode, and small enough to effectively replace it. Swords aren't practical, though, so if you think you'll be dealing with nature you do use something like an axe, knife, military fork, firearm, or big stick and except the military and practical disadvantages. [/QUOTE]

Verification