Flank or Yeomanry Officers Sword with Shamshir Blade

[Triarii]

On regulation v bespoke, the 1803 pattern came about partially at least because so many officers were already carrying curved blades. The 1803 effectively regulated existing fashion. I had an 1803 with a blade of similar curve to it. I also had a couple of non regulation bone/ ivory gripped lion headed swords.

How much a regiment stuck to regulation depended on the CO, any honourary appointments that were associated and the standing of the individual officers themselves. Regimental tradition also had a role eg the neo-classical hilts were distinctive.