Rapier

An offensive weapon of bronze distinguished from the sword by the slenderness of its blade and the simple butt for rivet hafting, both of which would limit its usefulness to a thrusting, rather than a slashing blow. It developed in the Middle Bronze Age by lengthening of the dagger, and was replaced by the slashing sword in the Late Bronze Age of central and northwest Europe. Bronze Age metalwork is often found in the River Thames, including a rapier found at Bourne End. Another example was found in the school garden in Lee Common.