Hi Gav,
The most interesting rebuttal concerning this news item by Mel reflects the very common misperceptions often appearing in the media on early weapons.
It has long been a personal pet peeve of mine that so little attention to accuracy is afforded the description of edged weapons in many, if not most cases, with not only news items, but historic literature.
I have read so many accounts of military history, historic narratives and accounts that will go into considerable detail on artillery and firearms, even down to caliber and even ammunition down to the grain! yet any mention of the edged weapons are reduced to sword, curved or straight....and common misconceptions such as a sword carried by a Highlander must be a 'broadsword'.
Several years ago, a broadsword was displayed at a museum as the remarkable discovery of a crusaders broadsword...yet it was actually a Sudanese kaskara.
In the early 20th century, a brass hilted broadsword was discovered in an excavation in New York, which was of very classic form. The claim was that this was an ancient Roman gladius, and you can imagine where it went from there! It was later revealed that this was actually a U.S. M1833 artillery gunners sword that was of a form commonly used before and during the Civil War period. It was indeed designed on a neoclassic design based on those ancient swords, but the brass hilt, not to mention the federal eagle in the pommel, should have been the giveaway!
As we know, things in the media have not improved much
All the best,
Jim