[quote=@POOHEAD189]
[@The Harbinger of Ferocity] I completely agree. Mostly because the guy he said it about was black. Those articles you posted aren't on the soldier in question. 

[@Andreyich] Not sure if you remember this, but a few weeks back you scoffed at the notion of the sidesword and backsword being put into the same or similar category. I remembered it tonight and got somewhat curious on your reasoning since I'll be writing my sword article soon. Was it a historical perspective, or how they were used? 
[/quote]

The design. What is referred to as a "backsword" tends to more often than not have a blunt side of a blade (which was often subsequently sharpened, but what is important here is lack of symmetry for backsword which tended to be found in a side sword) finger protection rather than a crossguard or "knuckleguard," and finally they sometimes would have a little part of the blade than gets thinner in an oval shape which I can't name right now in English for the life of me. These differences lead to the side sword dying out post-"renaissance" with the backsword staying live and we'll into the 19th century.