The Swordsman, Alfred Hutton

£500.00

A Manual of Fence for the Foil, Sabre, and Bayonet. With an Appendix Consisting of a Code of Rules for Assaults, Competitions. By Alfred Hutton, new and revised edition published 1898

A 19th century manual of fencing tactics designed to rescue the noble art of swordsmanship that the author considers has been debased. Hutton and Matthey were two of the earliest pioneers of what we now call historical fencing (HEMA). They proposed to incorporate older battlefield techniques into the combat systems of their day, most famously adapting George Silver's 'grips and closes' (from 1599) to the British infantry officer's sword of the 1890s. They were primarily concerned with equipping British soldiers with a simple system that would work in service conditions, in uniforms and boots, on rough ground and against opponents who would use all manner of weapons in 'uncivilized' ways. They championed a more relaxed system with less extended guards, and a more conservative lunge with the body upright

Hutton served in the Cameron Highlanders, 7th Hussars and the 1st King's Dragoon Guards, retiring in 1873

Black buckram binding with gold lettering and decorated edges to the text block. Tightly bound spine but in excellent condition throughout. No foxing, stains or bleed through. Numerous MOD, Whitehall and War Office stamps on the Title Page and Flyleaf. The rear paste down is stamped for Whitehall showing the book was rebound in 1982.

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A Manual of Fence for the Foil, Sabre, and Bayonet. With an Appendix Consisting of a Code of Rules for Assaults, Competitions. By Alfred Hutton, new and revised edition published 1898

A 19th century manual of fencing tactics designed to rescue the noble art of swordsmanship that the author considers has been debased. Hutton and Matthey were two of the earliest pioneers of what we now call historical fencing (HEMA). They proposed to incorporate older battlefield techniques into the combat systems of their day, most famously adapting George Silver's 'grips and closes' (from 1599) to the British infantry officer's sword of the 1890s. They were primarily concerned with equipping British soldiers with a simple system that would work in service conditions, in uniforms and boots, on rough ground and against opponents who would use all manner of weapons in 'uncivilized' ways. They championed a more relaxed system with less extended guards, and a more conservative lunge with the body upright

Hutton served in the Cameron Highlanders, 7th Hussars and the 1st King's Dragoon Guards, retiring in 1873

Black buckram binding with gold lettering and decorated edges to the text block. Tightly bound spine but in excellent condition throughout. No foxing, stains or bleed through. Numerous MOD, Whitehall and War Office stamps on the Title Page and Flyleaf. The rear paste down is stamped for Whitehall showing the book was rebound in 1982.

A Manual of Fence for the Foil, Sabre, and Bayonet. With an Appendix Consisting of a Code of Rules for Assaults, Competitions. By Alfred Hutton, new and revised edition published 1898

A 19th century manual of fencing tactics designed to rescue the noble art of swordsmanship that the author considers has been debased. Hutton and Matthey were two of the earliest pioneers of what we now call historical fencing (HEMA). They proposed to incorporate older battlefield techniques into the combat systems of their day, most famously adapting George Silver's 'grips and closes' (from 1599) to the British infantry officer's sword of the 1890s. They were primarily concerned with equipping British soldiers with a simple system that would work in service conditions, in uniforms and boots, on rough ground and against opponents who would use all manner of weapons in 'uncivilized' ways. They championed a more relaxed system with less extended guards, and a more conservative lunge with the body upright

Hutton served in the Cameron Highlanders, 7th Hussars and the 1st King's Dragoon Guards, retiring in 1873

Black buckram binding with gold lettering and decorated edges to the text block. Tightly bound spine but in excellent condition throughout. No foxing, stains or bleed through. Numerous MOD, Whitehall and War Office stamps on the Title Page and Flyleaf. The rear paste down is stamped for Whitehall showing the book was rebound in 1982.