. . . common accepted mode of the disciples was--at one's personal--pleasure, to carry a side-arm . . .
>> ln the above, please eliminate the hyphens, ok? <<
. . . common accepted mode of the disciples was, at one's personal pleasure, to carry a side-arm . . .
ONLY them?
Wouldn't THIS be more correct:
. . . common accepted mode of people in this period of history was, at one's personal pleasure, to carry a side-arm . . .