Pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry Trooper's sword, 1814 (c)

This type of sword was heavily criticised because the hatchet point and the heavy blade made it useless for thrusting. As it was straight rather than curved it was not very good for slashing either.

In light of this, six days before the Battle of Waterloo (1815) a General Cavalry Order was issued ordering that the swords be ground to a sharp point. This made them effective for thrusting against French cavalry, some of whom wore armour.