First, a thank you for Richard Sharpe! I have another 15 books to look forward to. Second, are the sharply curved sabres used in the Sharpe’s War TV series authentic? I can not find any similar examples in a Google search; all of the images show sabres with less curve, and the TV versions *seem* like they would be awkward. The purpose of the curve is now clear to me — as a Vietnam veteran (a hospital corpsman with the 1st Marines), I can only imagine treating a sabre wound! Bob Ingraham Vancouver