Infantry Sword Exercise. 1845

By Great Britain Adjutant-General's Office

Issued by the Horse Guards in January 1845, The Infantry Sword Exercise established the officially approved system for sword instruction among British infantry officers and sergeants. Derived from earlier methods developed by the Angelo family, notably Henry Angelo's 1817 system, it provided a standardised approach to practical swordsmanship on foot. The manual sets out the fundamental 'seven cuts and three points', together with the correct execution of guards, parries and lunges, placing particular emphasis on sound posture, balance and controlled movement. Its systematic treatment was intended to ensure consistency in instruction and proficiency throughout the infantry. The 1845 revision subsequently became the British Army's standard reference for sword exercise on foot for approximately half a century. Its influence extended beyond the military, with the system later providing a model for drill manuals used in the training of police constables. As both an official training text and a record of Victorian military practice, it offers a valuable insight into the formal development of British swordsmanship.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1847348637
• ISBN13: 9781847348630
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Naval & Military Press
• Length: 52 Pages
• Weight: 0.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 5.0" x 8.0"