In the early middle ages almost any large sword was called a Flamberge, but later it was restricted only to those with wavy blade edges. Between 16th and 17th centuries the name Flamberge was used only for a special form of a rapier. This weapon was characterized by simple hilt which hand only quillons without knuckle bow or pas d'ane and covered by a shallow cup of medium dimensions. The blade of the rapier was usually more slender compared with other ordinary rapiers of the same period.