Talhoffer messer plates 226-227

[Guest]

I've a question about the comment realted to the plates 226-227 shown in "Medieval Combat", the autor tell us that in plate 226 the swordman on the right is setting a blow aside with a turned around hand (the blow is a fendente). The swordman wrenches his enemy's messer in the following plate and pushes his opponent away by the elbow.

I'm not convinced by this interpretation, the described parry strikes me as being almost a physical impossibility (try it <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> ), the wrenching movement from the described starting position implies a strange use of the wrist (try it too <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> ).
If I had to judge from plates alone, I'd say in plate 226 blades are crossed with fencer at left giving the blade in the outside guard, the fencer at right in the inside guard. In plate 227 the fencer at the right uncrosses to the outide guard setting the enemy's blade aside (common broad sword manual move) and takes control of the opponent's elbow (he could have also: thrusted at the face in tierce, at the chest in quarte, cut at wrist or elbow, cut at the head; preferred follow ups in broad sword manuals after this blade displacing).
Is the author's interpretation supported by the original text?

[Guest]

Sorry folks, I was informed I'm wrong on this.
What an umbeliever <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" /> I am

[Jay Vail]

Carlo, I noticed the same parry and thought it odd too. However, I began trying it, and it is not as strange as it seems. In fact, you can apply it quickly and efficiently to a fendente/zornhau. It gives excellent cover to the head and leaves you in a position to counter while your opponent is out of position. One interesting thing is that blade contact is on your flat (or seems to be most of the time).

JC teaches a parry with the longsword that is virtually the same. I can't remember its name, though, unfortunately. We covered it in the Feb. South FL seminar.

[Guest]

Hans showed it to me at the Hemac event (great event, thanks Fab!), the secret is the side bar of the messer, I did not know about this feature of the weapon.