“Only the Coward Retreats”—A mid-19th century Korbschläger

The expansive basket of the Mensur-Korbschläger not only protects head and hand of the fencer. In some cases, it served as a record of Mensuren fought. Like this 1844 weapon…

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The Cutting Room Floor: Early Movies of European Cut Fencing

Over at Deutsche Hiebfechtkunst, we’re compiling a repository of cinematic evidence regarding the various methods of European Cut Fencing. Check it out—and point out more to us!

Click right here!

Schläger Mensur; Heidelberg, Germany, 19th ct.

A biedermeier meeting of the minds

Thanks to Mark Twain and Jerome K. Jerome, Anglo-Saxons on both sides of the Atlantic consider the Mensur — a pan-German ritual of passage practised wherever quality German is spoken Heidelberg Mensur — synonymous with Heidelberg.

Schläger Mensur; Germany, c. 1910-30

 

 

Rare snapshot of a Schläger Mensur

 

 

Most 19th- and early 20th-century photographs of Mensuren are staged. This one isn’t…

Manschett-Schläger; Germany/Austria, c. 1900

 

A special variety of basket-hilt Schläger

Manschette-fencing targeted only the wrist and lower arm…