#backsword

[armthearmour]

A Basket-hilted Backsword,

OaL: 40.6 in/103 cm

Blade Length: 34.4 in/87.5 cm

Weight: 3 lbs/1.4 kg

Britain, ca. 1742, housed at the Royal Armouries.

[okaydrawboy]

𝐒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 "Mortuary"

[saganshy]

Cavalry backsword for a trooper of the Fitzjames Regiment Of Irish horse in the service of France, mid-18th century.

https://www.bonhams.com

[victoriansword]

PIRATE SWORDS! What types of swords did PIRATES use?

What types of swords did pirates in the Golden Age of piracy actually use? Was the pirate cutlass a real thing?

[historicalfightingguide]

Here's something a little different. We recently completed Zachary Wylde's 1711 broadsword section, and wanted to show the three disarms he talks about:

"A Close at Broad-Sword is performed thus, Engage your Opponent's Sword on the inside with all your Strength, then force it backward as low as his Knee, and at the same time step in with your left Foot, and seize the Feeble of his Blade with your left Hand, then execute your Intention: You may perform the like by engaging on the outside of his Sword, and perform as aforesaid: You may Disarm either of these Ways, after the same manner as you do at Small-Sword. Otherwise, lie upon a low Guard, or rather no Guard; that is, hold your Sword as low as your middle, so that all the upper Part of your Body be bare, or clearly exposed; and when your Opponent strikes at your Head, Pitch to the Hanging Guard, and at the same juncture step in with your left Foot, and with your left Hand, the back there of being turned towards your Face, make seizure of his Sword, then use your most merciful Discretion. Take notice, That if your Opponent strikes at the same time as you do, I call it a Counter Tempt, which be careful to avoid."

Further suggestion to check out the facebook group ‘Military and Classical Sabre’ for more of stuff like this in general, as well as subscribing to the  Broadsword Academy Manitoba youtube channel.

[grumpyswordsperson]

Guy Windsor came by for a backsword seminar on Saturday, and it was a bunch of fun. I'm still a bit stiff and sore, in a good way. We did Roworth with sticks, which was all curiously different from the sabre system Kristofer Stanson taught us back in January. Anyway, a funny thing happened. During a freeplay bout I remember thinking "y'know I don't trust this chap to parry", so instead of risking the hit, I just backed off and waggled my stick at him until Guy called time. And it was <i>profoundly unsatisfying</i>. I mean, sure, I didn't get hit, but... Is that it? I didn't really <i>do</i> anything. I honestly feel like I cheated someone out of a lesson because I didn't feel like getting bruised that day (or worse, having The Double-Hit Talk (which I am now having with You instead, dear reader – I'm hopeless)). I guess the takeaway is, fence like you have something to prove.

[armthearmour]

A Baksword of the Bodyguard of King Stanislaus I Leszczynski of Poland,

OaL: 38.8 in/98.5 cm

made in France, ca. 1738-1766, housed at the Musée de l'Armée.

[armthearmour]

A broad Backsword,

OaL: 32.1 in/81.5 cm

Italy, 1625-1650, from Czerny's International Auction House.