A New System of Sword Exercise for Infantry

by Sir Richard Francis Burton

§ 5. The Time Cuts in Manchette.

The Time Cut is the flower of the Manchette system, as the Manchette is of the broadsword; and it is, perhaps, the part least capable of being taught in books. When well mastered it never allows the opponent to raise his arm without imminent risk, and, even if it fail, the intention, once recognized, tends greatly to cramp and embarrass the adversary’s play. The natural man cuts as if he were using a stick or a club, and the preliminary movement lays open the whole of his body; indeed, exposure, I have said, is the main danger of every attack with the sabre, however closely and skilfully conducted. A cut through the muscles of the fore-arm, either inside or outside, causes the sword instantly to be relaxed and dropped; the man in fact is hamstrung in the upper works.

I. Carte de Manchette.—When the opponent from Tierce makes a Coupé or any attack in Carte, stop further movement by a Carte de Manchette, a horizontal Cut in Carte. The same may be done with the false edge, in which case the blade should be advanced as far as is possible; and this is to be preferred because it loses less time.

II. Parade Retrograde and Cut Tierce.—When the opponent from Tierce attempts a Manchette in Carte withdraw the arm (parade retrograde) and deliver the vertical Cut in Tierce downwards at his extended arm; both movements being combined in one. It is not necessary even with the tallest man to withdraw the right leg; the Cut will amply suffice. This Tierce Cut serves to defend from all attacks when the Guard does not cover the adversary; and it has lopped off many a careless arm. If slowly done it becomes a mere parade and ripost.

III. The Reverse Cut-upwards, Revers en montant, Rovescio montante, Ger. Revers montant.—You feint in Seconde; the opponent comes to its parry and replies in Tierce; you withdraw the arm, leaving the heels as they were, and cut upwards with the false edge, tightening the grasp of thumb and fore-fingers as much as possible. This movement is especially useful; it is one of the best of Time Cuts, when the adversary indulges in long and complicated feints and false attacks. It may be done with the true edge, but the latter is less safe.

IV. The Time Pass; which is merely “The Pass” turned into a Time Cut. When the opponent attempts a “Manchette” or any movement in Seconde, and expects you to reply by a time Cut in Tierce with the true edge, turn the knuckles up (in old Tierce), sweep the blade over his sword-arm 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. The true edge may be used, but, again, it wastes time. The double sweep possible as in “The Pass,” but it causes too much exposure.

This Time Pass may also be done with the hand held high in Prime or rather “demi-circle” with the nails turned up, the arm outstretched, and the point lowered. In this case the leg must be shifted till the fore heel touches the rear heel, so as to give additional height to the hand. This is not a Reverse or Back Cut as you use the true edge; it is in fact one of the old movements called “Cutting within the Sword.”

§ 6. Résumé.

The following is a synoptical table of Manchette or Fore-arm play, showing the Cuts, the Guards (Parries) for the Cuts, and the Riposts or replies that should follow each Parade. The Instructor will remember that instead of Prime we use High Tierce or High Carte, and for Seconde Low Tierce or withdrawing the leg.

Direct Cuts.
CUT.	PARRY.	RIPOST.
1. Carte de Manchette.	IV. (Carte).	II. (Seconde).
2. Ditto and cut Tierce.	IV. and III. (Tierce).	III.
3. Double Carte de Manchette and cut Carte.	IV., III. and IV.	II.
4. Double Carte de Manchette and cut Tierce.	Parade Retrograde by withdrawing arm.	III. or IV.
Reverse Cuts.
1. Half-feint.	II. or III.	III. or IV.
2. Feint Seconde and cut upwards.	II.	Cut with false edge upwards.
3. Feint Tierce and cut upwards.	III. and II.	II.
4. One-two-three, and cut upwards.	Parade Retrograde.	III. or IV.
5. The Pass.	II. and I. (Prime).	III.
Time Cuts.
1. On all Cuts in Carte.	Parry with time in IV. (Carte de Manchette).	IV.
2. On feints in Carte ending with Cuts in Tierce.	Parade Retrograde.	III. or IV.
3. On Cuts in Tierce.	Reverse Cut upwards.	III.
4. On Reverse Cut upwards.	II. and III.	IV.
5. On Cuts in Seconde.	The Time Pass.	III.
Feints of Coupé in Manchette.
1. Single Coupé.	III. or IV.	II.
2. One-two ( „ ).	IV. and III.	III.
3. One-two-three.	II., III. and II.	III. or IV.
4. One-two-three-four.	Parade Retrograde.	III.
Feints of Seconde in Manchette.
1. Simple Seconde.	II.	III.
2. Feint Seconde and cut Tierce	II. and III.	III. or IV.
3. Feint Seconde, feint Tierce, and cut Carte.	II., III. and II.	III. or IV.
4. Feint Seconde, feint Tierce, and cut Seconde.	Parade Retrograde.	III. or IV.