Images of French Sabre fencing in 1880

[Corey Roberts]

I ran across this flip book images of sabre fencing in 1880. The first thing that I noticed was how much more substantial and weapon-like their training tools are compared with a modern fencing implement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuYJU9Ou ... re=related


I also noticed that they utilize the full arm in cutting, delivering much more substantial and realistic cuts. We can also see a more dynamic footwork, rather than the hyper-linear shuffling of modern sport fencing.

Compare the movements involved in 1880 with the type of movement in modern sport sabre fencing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIRAXMaK ... re=related

Very interesting.

[Stacy Clifford]

Also interesting to note that unlike modern sabre they're targeting the legs. The reasoning I heard back when I took sabre was that the legs were not a target because sabre was a mounted combat weapon and you didn't strike at the legs to avoid damaging a valuable horse. Never mind that we don't have horses...

[Matt Bryant]

That's a good find Corey. Very interesting to see how things have changed.