Well put Mark, it really is interesting to try to fathom what types of swords the 'pirates' really did use. As noted there is a genuine semantics problem when describing these weapons, and excited, dramatized accounts of contemporaries certainly helped embellish the perceptions that became the romaticized figures known today. The terms hanger, cutlass and hunting sword might have all been used to describe the same weapon, and even the ficticious term scimitar came into use.
The accounts describing Blackbeards sword as a falchion, suggest it might have had some type of clipped point or exaggerated tip blade, but again, the use of these terms led to the larger than life imagined swashbuckling cutlass of pirate lore.
In the 17th century, the short and stout bladed heavy sabres known variously as 'dusagge' in Europe often had huge shell guards, many which led to the very nautical themed scallop shell type. The term often used for these due to another popularized tale is the 'Sinclair Sabre', actually a misnomer but well known just the same.
In England, the hangers about mid 17th century were those which later evolved into hunting type sabres, and often termed Hounslow swords, for the location in England where expatriate Solingen swordsmiths made them. These were the heavier bladed swords often with varying types of shellguards and the pommels with a cap and snouted effect, and knuckleguard. By later in the century, many of these type swords were being made in another German associated enterprise at Shotley Bridge, also near London. Many of these are known with the familiar running wolf mark, and often they are seen which sawtooth backs on the blade. As hunting hangers, these were believed to be used in the drsssing of game.
By the later part of the 17th century, the heavy shellguard 'cutlasses' or hangers or Sinclair sabres, or whatever they were called....had given way in large part to the lighter staghorn grip hangers we are discussing in England and America at least. The variety of weapons used with vessels of other countries of course would be inclusive of whatever edged weapons were available, and serve the purposes required.
Heavy bladed, short sabres were of course well placed in the jungle or thick brush environment described, and this is how the espada ancha evolved in New Spain in the 18th century, becoming the machete by the 19th and to present times.
The pirates were all about psychological effect, and Im sure that a sword with a formidable looking blade would have presented a threatening image, so that might have come in to degree. But for the most part, these guys seem to have tried to avoid actual combat. It really is interesting to imagine just how theatrical these figures really were, not much different than today with all of the bizarre appearance and festooning with tattoos we see in everyday culture.
Many of the 'pirates' were actually at one time likely actually sailors whether aboard royal ships, or aboard merchant vessels. In many cases piracy was practiced under the umbrella of the 'letter of marque' where they were authorized to prey upon enemy shipping by thier sovereign. This rather unorthodox license to outlaw behavior often became misinterpreted, and with unfortunate results, as in the case of the 'notorious' Captain Kidd.
While many of the pirates may have been 'rabble' and unfamiliar with any kind of swordplay, many of these seasoned veterans must have had some degree of experience and were probably valuable in sharing thier practical knowledge among crews.
You're right Mark, it is fun to talk pirates again !!
attached are a 'dusagge' or Sinclair sabre and Captain Kidd
All best regards,
Jim