repurposed rapier blades

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

One thing is for certain, and that is the balance/weight of the rapier blade in a smallsword hilt: it is much further forward compared to a trefoil blade. This will certainly influence the style of fighting; the rapier blade will demand a great degree of destreza compared to the modern smallsword techniques. I would imagine this alone would influence to repurposing of the rapier blade.
I will pull down some swords from the wall and measure them to include in my next post.

Well observed Keith! The destreza is much different in that there is much less contact, more traversing (circling) one guard (right angle, point and shoulder in line). There is less blade to blade contact.
With the small sword, more dynamic, faster and more blade to blade, parrys etc.
The balance on this espadin is remarkable. Blade 31.5".