Dear Bernard After noticing a lot of the debates about the Baker Rifle and US rifles. In Donald Hickeys book Don’t Give Up the Ship The myths of the war of 1812. He did compare The two main rifles (Sprinfield Rifle and Pennsylvaia rifle) used by US forces against the Baker. Cannot remember the conclusion. But the gist was while the Sprinfield was essentialy a poorman’s version the Pennsylvania could shoot further than the Baker but was not as tough under combat conditions. btw You have said you will not bring Sharpe to the war of 1812 but have you considered bringing an American rifle unit over to fight Sharpe in Spain/south france and so bringing the war to him. All the best Geraint

Finally is it likely that a future Sharpe book will cover the battle of ST-Pierre on the Nive a very near run thing??? Geraint