It is most likely that the small sword originated in the courts of Louis XIV of France where it was worn instead of the rapier. In a duel between swordsmen of equal skill the man with the lighter weapon would have an advantage over his opponent and so the small sword developed a variety of different blade styles, hilts and method of decoration, but in essence, a typical small sword had a small pommel, slim grip over a shell guard, with a knuckle bow to protect the fingers.