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Of all the daggers that exist in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, none are more fascinating, and yet enigmatic, than the swagger. Swagger is a combined term of sword and dagger as these weapons tend to be to long to be considered a dagger, and too short to be considered a sword.The most well known of these is the Italian cinquedea and, to a lesser extent, the Swiss (and English) basilard. I want to bring exposure to the less commonly known one, which even I still have questions about.
Alehouse dagger
This swagger is actually gaining a bit of popularity among English and cateran fencers. It is a basket-hilted dagger popular in Renaissance England, but continued to be used into the 18th century. According to Joseph Swetnam, it should have a 2 ft. blade. It fulfilled 2 roles. First, it was a close-quarter weapon, often in taverns (hence its name). The second use was as a parrying dagger. Accounts say they were worn at the back, easily accesible by either hand, though to my knowledge, there aren't any visual depictions of this method of carry in relation to this swagger. Surviving examples don't have full baskets and are barred versions of the later sail dagger often associated with Spain. James Miller depicts a full basket that matches the sword, though none survive in this fashion.For more information, see Paul Wagner's article.
Coustille
This medieval swagger is of cross and wheel style. It seems to be of French origins among the common soldiers and brigands called coutiliers (name origin). There are a reasonable amount of depictions and survivals.
Anelace
Typically worn at the back, this swagger is heavily tied to the cinquedea in use and style. Like the cinquedea, it has either a type XXI or XXII blade (Oakeshott typology). The hilt is of seemingly 2 forms. It is either of cross and wheel style, or it is of basilard style. The relation to the cinquedea is most likely convergent evolution. Depictions and survivals are modest.Chaucer refers to the anelace in the Frankin (line 359 spelled anlaas).
Rugger/ Bauernwehr
Of German origin, this swagger is a simplified and shorter messer with only a nagel for the guard and no cross. The typical blade profile is that of a simple kitchen knife, as it is a peasant's weapon. Several examples exist.
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