HUTTON, Alfred. Fixed Bayonets: A Complete System of Fence for the British Magazine Rifle, Explaining the Use of Point, Edges, and Butt, both in Offence and Defence; Comprising also a Glossary of English, French, and Italian Terms common to the Art of Fencing, with a bibliographical List of Works affecting the Bayonet. London: William Clowes and Sons, Limited, 13 Charing Cross. 1890.
Royal 8vo. Original illustrated cloth, spine lettered in gilt; pp. ix, [3], 183, photogravure portrait-frontispiece with tissue guard and 23 full-page illustrations; light rubbing and darkening to binding, otherwise very good.
Uncommon first edition of a classic on the martial art. Alfred Hutton devoted all his adult life to fencing and the research of the use of bladed weapons, historically and in the 19th century. 'He promoted the beginning of national championships for men from 1898 and for women from 1907. When English fencers first participated in the international cup (at Paris in 1903), he was on the jury. In 1909 he became fencing delegate to the British Olympic Council' (ODNB). He bequeathed his exquisite collection of fencing literature and some rare specimens of bladed weapons to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
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