Singlestick Drill; Britain, 1896

Cutlass Drill; Britain, 1896 on the Training Ship St. Vincent

Singlestick and cutlass practice was an integral part of onboard Navy training…

This British “Oilette” postcard depicts young British sailor practicing with singlesticks aboard their ship, the H.M.S. St. Vincent, in 1896. The weapons consist of stout ash sticks with a semicircular guard made of stiff boiled leather. While the sword arm remains unprotected, head gear and plastron closely resemble that worn by German students for Schläger practice. The pad on the advanced knee indicates that the leg at that point was still considered a valid and worthwhile target.