[Greg Coffman]

An arming sword is a one handed sword. It would be used by foot troops as well as mounted troops. The distinction seems to be that the term arming sword was used to distiguish between war sword or longsword or anything beyond a normal two handed sword. Arming swords could have finger rings too. Later on, they might have just as complex guards as longswords. You can finger to ricasso of a sword whether it has finger rings or not. For clarification, I think Steven was refering to one-handed-sword and shield. Could you fight with a longsword and shield? Sure, if the longsword was balanced well enough.

This is all about preference. Not everyone prefers to finger the ricasso. Some people might prefer to finger the ricasso but would rather trust in a heavy gauntlet. Maybe some people just want to have the option, and so they use a sword with finger rings but don't finger the ricasso all of the time. Of course for unarmoured combat, you don't just walk around the streets and countryside in armour, finger rings and other complex gaurds provide good hand protection than you can get with just a heavy glove.

[Rodolfo Martínez]

Oh, Thanks. So i guess that bastard swords used on horseback were incredibly well balanced too. Do you know if scabbards for swords with side and finger rings have any type of modification?
Did estoc swords have siderings too?