short Italian Rapier?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by fernando

How about a rapier length to be according to its owner stature. I hear that the ideal length is that in the quillons (crossbar) come up to your belly button, when the point is resting on the floor; between 99 cms. and 114 cms. total length. Just because a little fellow looks to have a sword proportional to his best handling, such would not demoted from the rapier typology.

Thats a very good point Fernando. Swords of this character were typically commissioned to a cutler who would fashion it in accord with specifications.
As far as I have understood the only specifications setting standard for sword blade length were those prohibiting excessive length rapier blades.
The notion of a minimum standard may have been a convention in cases as noted by Mr. Puype.