EXTRA EXTRA! RAPIER THROWING!
Interrupting my normal posting flow with this gorgeous little thing.
So, I came across an early 17th century rapier treatise from Leipzig, Germany, by Michael Hundt.
“A New Art-Filled Manual on Rapier” (advertising the art-work seems common)
Now, sword throwing isn’t THAT uncommon, Fiore covers it for longsword (and someone else probably talks about it too).
So here we have some illustrations of rapier throwing(and text).
Text to go with the first image:
“79. If your grace will use shooting with the rappier, usually when you are against two or three, during the day or night, Then you must give diligent attention to the thrust and cut, and carefully displace, would your grace however be tired, so that you cannot continue, and especially when your life is in danger, then take your rappier back by the pommel and wind up with all your might, and throw it at the group, and look around for another good advantage, or with it, take refuge to the preservation of life and limb, when you can do nothing else, and you would rather live than be dead.”
Text to go with the second image:
“80. If your grace sees that one will use this same shooting of the rappier on you, then go round about with him in the circle, and hold his replay, however if he goes with his blade as if he will go away, then step with the left leg back to the 4. and run off with the whole blade before your body, and take out the thrust together with his blade, so that his blade is above and comes over and away from your blade, then he cannot do it, however your grace has him thereafter how you can have him, to make an exit, as you want it.”
Text to go with the third image:
“94. it happens from time to time, that one in the night will be attacked by several, it is wherever it will be, often from four or five or more people, and some therefore will be robbed, that it costs him his life and limb, and usually, when one in the night will resort to coupling, because often the other waits for his turn, as well this can sometimes happen, then do this thing, and keep safe a good rappier for yourself. However, if your grace will be assaulted on the way home, by a whole group of enemies, then take your rappier with both fists and shoot it at the whole group, and see hereafter where your grace can gain further protection, because need sometimes breaks iron, ere you live, there you give.”
These are just wonderful, and I think they show how open and versatile actual fighting is… Like reverse grip, half-swording and similar things.
And the last is slightly gory, so not totally off-topic. xD
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