It's the choice of weapon for the pirates! The short sword, in one form or another, has always been a much valued weapon. In the press of combat, there is oftimes not enough room to maneuver with longer weapons. With the advent of firearms, even in a rudimentary form, the sword became a secondary weapon, and as such, was reduced in both size and frequency of use. The long sword, such as a rapier, may have been a badge of rank, but for the foot soldier doing the bloody hand-to-hand combat, the short hanger or cutlass was much more valuable. On the ocean aboard ship, the cutlass was a much prized weapon. This particular cutlass was used by the Dutch in their glory days as a sea power. It is a quick, fast blade, quite capable of being used as both a defensive and offensive sidearm. In the confines of a ship, it proved deadly in close combat. Arg!