Hi Mr. Cornwell.

In a June 4th posting, Barry Doran inquired about whether the French notched their sword blades to make more severe wounds.  I agree with you that this is unlikely.  However, in World War I, the German bayonet often had  serrations like on a saw on the backside of the blade.  The purpose of this was to perform emergency field amputations if there was no time to get the injured soldier to the hospital.  Perhaps some of the French blades were likewise modified?

Alan Kempner