Florentine Cinquedea

The unique cinquedea (ching-kwi-dey-uh) gained popularity as the sidearm of choice for noblemen walking through the narrow alleyways and walled cities of Italy. The name cinquedea means "five fingers", and it describes the width of the blade next to the guard. A blade worn exclusively for civilian self-defense, it was essentially the precursor to the civilian side sword and the rapier – and yet, this instrument of personal protection seems to have owed much of its design to fashion as it did to the cut and thrust of mortal combat! Surviving examples of these unusual short-handled and steeply tapered blades are often highly embellished and ornate.