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Swordsman recalled times around capital of Bulgaria (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sabre

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'swordsman' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'recalled times around capital of bulgaria' is the wordplay.
'recalled' is a reversal indicator.
'times' becomes 'eras' (era is a kind of time).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'capital of' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'bulgaria' is 'b'.
'eras' placed around 'b' is 'erbas'.
'erbas' backwards is 'SABRE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sabre that I've seen before include "Large wasp" , "Sword with curved blade" , "Bares (anag.)" , "Type of sword" , "Slasher" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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