Monthly Archives: March 2024

Irish stick sparring/Bartitsu stick sparring comparison

The ancient art of Bataireacht (Irish stick fighting) has undergone a modern revival closely paralleling that of Bartitsu, and this sparring clip demonstrates the close technical parallels as well. Similar to Vigny stick fighting, Bataireacht emphasizes high guard positions and … Continue reading

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“Les Apaches: the Gangster Chic of Belle Époque Paris”

An early heads-up that Tony Wolf will be giving a live Zoom lecture on the “Apache chic” craze of the early 20th century: At the turn of the 20th century, the exploits and styles of Parisian Apache (pronounced Ah-pahsh) street … Continue reading

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“Bartitsu – Self Defence with the Hooked Walking Stick”

German HEMA instructor Oliver Janseps demonstrates three canonical Vigny/Bartitsu hooking techniques. Crooked canes are rarely seen in action in sparring, but here’s an experimental bout from back in 2013:

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Jean Lafond, the Magician of Boxe Française

Thanks to Jean-Pierre LeLoup for this guest-post as a tribute to his late teacher, which has been lightly edited – with the author’s permission – for clarity. At 26, Rue d’Enghien, in Paris, a plaque indicates that here is practiced: … Continue reading

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“Match de boxe: professeurs de l’École de Joinville (Leon Beaulieu’s flipbook)” – G. Méliès (c.1897 )

Recently reanimated for the first time in over 120 years, this 10-second clip of a boxe Francaise sparring exhibition between two instructors at the Joinville military school is believed to be all that remains of a lost documentary film by … Continue reading

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