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					Originally Posted by fernando
					
				 
				Hi Jim, 
Isn't it derived from the Genevan Espadron ... coming from the Italian Espadone ... or French Espadon ... or Portuguese Espadão ?    . 
In current portuguese connotation it means large sword; i wouldn't presently know what it meant in that period and context, though. 
Fernando  
			
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 Hi Fernando,
Angelo called them the "demi-sword", that is, an intermediary between the small sword and the broad sword. I tend to see them as a variation of the transition rapier.
Cheers
Chris