Thanks Bill,
Yes, mainly a middle eastern horseback sword, hence its general relationship with middle eastern royality, and therefore its position in a number of middle eastern flags over the last few hundred years.
I am about as far from being a muslim as one can get, but always been facinated by the culture, religion etc. Always hoped to one day spend some sugnifcant time there. One of the reasons I'm shooting for SF and 3rd or 5th group. (Does a 15mth deployment count as a significant length of time?)
On a side note you encouraged me to go and buy my first knife as a Christmas present to my self. I'm actually supposed to be collecting swords, it's some what of a tradition among Fencers.
Nothing fancy mind you.
A generic Smith and Wesson; H.R.T.
It might be a little early to start throwing it at dart boards from 20 feet however.
It's a start I guess.