Saber Fencing; Germany, 1838
F.C. Christmann served in Napoleon’s Imperial Guard. His approach to cut and thrust fencing sets him apart from any other German fencing master of his age…
The fencing book published by Christman and Pfeffinger deviates from almost all Central European approaches to cut and thrust fencing.
A centerpiece of Christmann’s method is the changing of the line of attack. In fact, practicians of modern aiki-bokken will recognize the one or other similarity.
Source: Christmann, F. C. und Pfeffinger, G. Theoretisch-Praktische Anleitung des Hau-Stoßfechtens und des Schwadronhauens nach einer ganz neuen Methode, Offenbach am Main: self-published (?); 1838.
The Secret History of the Sword 
Hi!
You wouldn’t happen to know if a scan is (or could be made) available for “Christmann, F. C. und Pfeffinger, G. Theoretisch-Praktische Anleitung des Hau-Stoßfechtens und des Schwadronhauens nach einer ganz neuen Methode”?
It appears very interesting and some aspects (offline stepping, passing footwork and circling attacks) seems similar to the type of military sabre fencing practiced in Sweden in the 19th century, which I’m trying to recreate.
Best regards
Andreas Engström
Gothenburg Historical Fencing School
Hi,
I am looking for the book “Christmann, F. C. und Pfeffinger, G. Theoretisch-Praktische Anleitung des Hau-Stoßfechtens und des Schwadronhauens nach einer ganz neuen Methode”. I would be glad to hear from any source for this material.
Best regards,
Jens Peter
Zornhau (Germany)
Hey, I’d like to put up a third request for availability, if possible. There’s similarities here to stuff I’ve seen (sketches in Chappon for Hungarian/KuK), and would love to see the rest of it, and have regularly used the principle in the sabre lineage I was taught (including voiding out while cutting with the false edge). –Russ