A New System of Sword Exercise for Infantry

Name: A New System of Sword Exercise for Infantry
Author: Sir Richard Francis Burton

By Sir Richard Francis Burton

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

History - Warfare How To ...

About This Book

A practical manual that critiques contemporary British sword instruction and sets out a revised infantry sabre regimen. It opens with a detailed critique of official exercises, then gives step-by-step preparatory drills without and with the sword, introduces fore-arm play (manchette), explains grips, guards, footwork, weight distribution, and a set of twelve cuts, and adds an appendix on sabre handles. Emphasis falls on economy of force in thrusts, thumb placement for edge control, natural guard posture, and training methods oriented to practical battlefield use rather than ritualized parade movements.

About the Author

Sir Richard Francis Burton

Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890) was a British explorer, geographer, and linguist known for his adventurous spirit and extensive travels. He is particularly recognized for his explorations in Africa and the Middle East, including his notable work, "Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah," which details his journey to the holy cities of Islam. Burton was also an accomplished translator and contributed significantly to the understanding of various cultures through his writings, such as "The Book of the Sword" and "The Jew, The Gypsy and El Islam." His diverse interests and expertise in languages made him a prominent figure in the 19th-century exploration narrative.