prize fighters' backsword?

[Guest]

Hello, I'm wondering if the prize fighters (those who fought for money in late 1600 and 1700, not those who fought for graduating in the fencing school) were really using the average scottish backsword or a particular version of it (a safer one).
In the sword and the centuries there are pictures from the book of Miller (which I've not found yet <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" /> ), these picters are very well made and show prize fighters with relaively thinner, and short, basket hilted swords. But I have no evidence of the existence of a safe sword for the arena, they might just be swords chosen for their agility, in fact the wasters I made from that illustrations handle fast and yet hit hard, even from the half arm and I'd be able to crack a head with one if it was a sword with a barely blunt blade.
Suggestions?
Carlo

[Casper Bradak]

I you're wondering if they were using ones that were safer for their opponent, I couldn't say, but there is plenty of evidence that they were often enough using sharp swords, no different than they would be for battle or duel, coming from 3rd party examination of the weapons and of course the maimings in the fights.