Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 07.djvu/578

* FENCING. 026 FENCING. collar buttoned at the back, for the protection of the neck. The foil is made of yielding steel, with a leather-covered or rubber button fixed to its point. The temper of the foil should always be ascertained before commencing practice, by plac- ing the point on the ground, and pressing down- ward, until the blade assumes a considerable arc of a circle, after which it should be allowed to spring back by suddenly releasing the point. A well-tempered foil can at all times be straight- ened out by placing it under the foot, bent part uppermost, and then drawing it backward to the point. FlG. 5. HAND POSITION, WITH FOIL. Swohi) Fencing. The sword is a weapon made for the purpose of cutting by the delivery of a blow. It has two distinct parts available for attack and defense, in addition to its point: (a) The centre of percussion, or that part of the sword in which the greatest force of the blow is concentrated, comprising about one-third of the blade's length from the point; and (b) the forte, which measures about one-third the sword's length from the hilt, and in which the best strength for defense is maintained. Although the weight of the sword tells against its utility as a thrusting weapon, it is nevertheless fash- ioned for use with the point, and the thrust is relied upon as an additional means of attack. Any such scientific use of the sword as is possible with the rapier is entirely precluded by its weight, consequently it has fewer combinations for attack and defense. Sword fencing consists of the out, guard, and point, a combination equal h available in the case of sword versus sword, and sword versus lance or bayonet. The singlestick is a light ash rod or stick, used as a substitute for the sword, the exercises with which are identical. Fencing in America. The most important fencing competitions in the United States are under the direction of the Amateur Fencers' League of America, which is a part of the Ama- teur Athletic Union. Four competitions are held each year, which are open to amateurs of all countries, viz.: (1) American Championship: With foils, dueling swords, and sabres; (2) Foil II ami imp: One held by each division of the Amateur Fencers' League of America. a1 New York, ami other centres: (3) Team Champion- ship: With foils; teams consisting of (luce or i men; I li Junior Tram Championship: With foils: teams of three men, in which no man is allowed to participate who has ever won any A. !•'. L. A. foil medal. The intercollegiate cham- pionship is usually competed for by teams from the principal colleges and universities of the country. There are many important fencing <duli md organizations throughout the country, the mosl influential being the Fencers' Club oi ew York. Philadelphia is regarded as the mosl a cenl re nexi to New York, ed by Boston, San Francisco, Chi- ld Sainl Louis. The German-American at bli ietii - in e i rj State of the I Fnion also make fencing a prominent feature of their gym- nasia, and more than any other factor maintain a strong interest in broadsword and sabre work. Bayonet Fencing. The bayonet is a weapon made entirely for the thrust, consequently it is most effectually used when in the hands of an ex- perienced user of the rapier. Of all tonus of fenc- ing, that with the bayonet is most exclusively it. i lit a ry, Vet curiously enough is only within quite recent times receiving the attention it has so long deserved; at a period, too, when in the opinion of many the opportunities for bayonet contact in actual warfare have been reduced to a mini- mum. The old form of ba} - onet exercise, like the old manual of arms, is now practically a thing of the past, and is being everywhere superseded by bayonet attack and defense practice, in which bayonet is opposed to bayonet, and the modern principles of fence are employed. For gymna- sium bayonet fencing, a spring bayonet is em- ployed; so that wdien contact is made in the thrust, the impact forces the bayonet back on its spring. When employed against the sabre, Fig. 6. bayonet versus sword. the bayonet is used on the same principle as the foil, except that, owing to its weight and form, only the more simple foil move- ments are possible ; the two weapons are on fairly equal terms, however, as the .»ahre, from its weight and shape, is similarly situated. Whatever advantage the bayonet has in length, the sword has in general handiness. A hayonoteer usually engages in tierce or quarte, from which he is enabled to make a straight, thrust, a disen- gagement, feint a straight thrust and disei or feint a disengagement into one line and dis- engage into another. The swordsman will parry with prime all straight thrusts and disengage nienls received over his blade, and with seconds those received under the blade. A greater variety of returns are possible, however, if tierce and quarte are employed i eel a thrusting attaofi at thebreasl. Against a dismounted sword-man. the bayonet ror will seek to keep the former out side his point, to secure which he will constantly threaten differenl parts of the swordsman'-, bod] and thus Keep him on 1 he defensive. On" I lie other hand, the swordsman will aim to get inside lie poinl of the bayonet, when by seizing tlm rifle with the left hand lie has his opponent at hi- mercy. Against a mounted swordsman, ths bayoneteer will centre his attack on the left or near side of the horseman, and thus shorter Hie word man's reach. If opposed to a lancer (mounted), he will make his attack on the right or lance side, and strive to get inside the point. Manuals ,.f fencing lor all fencing weap>