A New System of Sword Exercise for Infantry

by Sir Richard Francis Burton

IV. Feint Seconde, feint Tierce and Cut Seconde, from downwards upwards, always with a breast “Moulinet.”

At times the two first feinting movements in Nos. III. and IV. may be done more emphatically: this of course makes the movement slower, but it is a variety which embarrasses an adversary accustomed only to short, quick action.

§ 4. The Reverse or Back Cuts in Manchette.

As the Manchette system has been strangely neglected, so the Reverse or Back Cut may be pronounced unknown to the majority of the profession: the latter, instead of utilizing the “false edge” of the blade, still lose time and incur great danger by turning hand and wrist in using the true edge, especially when “Cutting within the Sword.”[16] More extraordinary still, although almost all the civilized world prefers what is technically called the “flat-backed and spear-pointed” sabre, yet no one seems to think of employing, or even of sharpening one of the most important parts of the weapon.

The Regulation blade with the false edge, that is to say, the blade sharpened from the point to the Centre of Percussion, about one-third of the length, was introduced into England about 1844, and the first specimens were made by the late Henry Wilkinson, acting with the late Henry Angelo, then Superintendent of Sword Exercise.[17] This back-edge of the blade should be ground to the sharpness of a razor. When practising the Reverse Cuts (Revers or Rovescio), the handle is held loosely with the thumb and the two first fingers, and the wrist and fore-arm should bring the blade up with a jerk, the grip being at the same time sharply tightened. Practice will soon enable the swordsman to deliver a strong “drawing” cut, equal to the Thrust-cut of the so-called “Damascus” blades. This valuable movement has the immense merit of not uncovering the swordsman, and what makes the sabre so rude a weapon is that every movement of attack, in the old systems, lays the body open by raising hand and point when a blow is to be given. With the Reverse Cut no such dangerous process is necessary; the point is still directed at the opponent whilst the cut is being delivered. Finally, it is always unexpected by the opponent who has not practised it, and although it rarely begins an assault, except against the inexperienced, nor should it be done alone as a rule, it may either follow or conclude every attack, feint or “time.”

I. The Half-Feint (Revers de dessous, Rovescio di sotto, or Revers von unten) is done thus.—When in Tierce extend the arm as if intending to cut Tierce; the opponent makes an opposition of Tierce; drop the point, and cut sharply upwards with the false edge at his fingers, wrist, or fore-arm, drawing the blade towards you and keeping the point opposite the adversary’s breast. This movement is one of the neatest known, and it is sure to succeed with one who does not expect it. The first part of the feint, or dropping the point, may lead to a cut with the true edge, but this movement, which is still practised in the schools, involves delay by turning the hand. Again, it may be combined with the inside (breast) or outside (shoulder) Moulinet.

II. Feint Seconde and Cut upwards.—This movement may be varied by feinting Tierce and cutting upwards.

III. One-two-three.—This is not the succession of simple Coupés, the dangerous movement before described. No. 1 Coupé shifts the hand from Tierce to Carte with the nails up; No. 2 turns the nails down, still remaining in Carte; and No. 3 delivers the Reverse Cut, of course in Carte, where it is least expected.

When the point is passed well under and within the sword-arm it is very difficult to parry the horizontal Reverse Cut in Carte. The true edge may be used, but again it wastes time by turning the hand.

IV. The Pass, properly called “en passant.”—From Tierce make a feint-movement in Seconde, and, when the adversary attempts to parry it by lowering the point, turn the knuckles up (in old Tierce), sweep the blade over his sword-arm and as close as possible to your right leg from left to right with the arm well raised, and, returning from right to left with a similar sweep, but with the blade held higher, cut, in Carte, with the false edge and close to the point, inside his wrist. Unskilfully attempted, this feint is equally dangerous to both, but it will do yeoman’s service in the hands of a practised swordsman. The true edge may be used, but that involves a change of position and the delay of turning the hand with the knuckles downwards. Some make a double sweep, and, after the second movement, cut outside or in Tierce—the exposure is too great, unless confronted by an unusually phlegmatic temperament.