Western Martial Arts has seen a tremendous surge in interest over the past 20 years, as enthusiasts have resurrected old blade combat manuals and discovered that — surprise! — the hyper-martial cultures of Europe weren’t just bashing at each other with sharp implements, but actually had martial arts systems as throughly thought-out and effective as anything out of Asia.
While I salute the HEMA folk (Historical European Martial Arts), my interests in the field are limited, since I am not a medievalist. I have some interest in the 18th and 19th century sword, particularly the Scottish and Irish stuff, which has some play in North American frontier history. Frontier combatives are starting to get some attention in HEMA circles, and you can bet my attention was grabbed by this blog:
Indigenous Ability: Examining & Resurrecting Indigenous Skills and Frontier Rough & Tumble Combat
Mark Hatmaker is a martial artist and author operating out of Knoxville, Tennessee. He also has a blog on Westerns. Indigenous Ability offers some situational awareness drills and some tough workouts, a bit of history, a bit of practical philosophy and a variety of posts on rough & tumble fighting — all the kind of things I find endlessly interesting and valuable in a quest to live a vibrant life.
Check it out.
Matthew says
Definitely and interesting website.
The martial arts community is riddled with debates about what style is the best. I once read an extensive debate on a bulletin board between the effectiveness of boxing vs. eastern martial arts. It quickly devolved into name calling.
I once read one of those old European sword manuals. It seemed more geared to dueling/trial by combat than “street fighting,” but it was obvious that the techniques were effective. One interesting one actually involved holding the sword by the blade and using the hilt to pry the other guys weapon out of his hands. That might work in a duel, but I think it would be suicide on the battlefield.
JimC says
The what-style-is-best stuff is as tiresome as the caliber debate and the “.22 LR is super-lethal” trope. People talk out their ass about this stuff and it does devolve into name-calling. Serious practitioners don’t get into that kind of thing — they’re too busy learning and practicing.
J.F. Bell says
You mean the kind of people who settled the New World and laid the groundwork for the American character and culture didn’t just throw themselves at death willy-nilly?
I’m shocked. Shocked I say.
For what it’s worth, there’s a multi-part documentary on the Battle of Waterloo (hosted by Sean Bean, no less) with a short segment on swordfighting from horseback. Their reenactor who demonstrates the manual of arms with the saber should put to bed any such idea about unskilled barbarians clubbing at each other.
…which I’m certain happened, but it does go so show that there was a significant degree of forethought and training allotted to readying soldiers for combat. How long those methods lasted beyond first contact is open to debate – but they were present and thoroughly codified, regardless.
Black Tyrone says
Why is this news? Even prior in history than the “hoplamchia” of the Greeks
Eccentric Cowboy says
Now this I’ll have to take a look at! Good catch as always pard.
John M Roberts says
As a crossover weapon, the familiar “Indian Tomahawk” is nothing more than the ancient North European belt-axe, now become a popular trade item. It would have been right at home riding on the belt of some Saxon, Frank or Burgundian. Among the Vikings, it was usually the first weapon a boy was given.
Black Tyrone says
Sorry Partisans my Greek is a bit rusty. Hoplomachia. Hope point in any case was made. Best
lane batot says
That’s all Greek to me(ahem!)……
Ugly Hombre says
Nice find! The Bowie knife is the katana of America.. And a early American martial art- hmmm Bowjitsu??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FqUL6slhtA
And this gent is the Hattori Hanzo of the Bowie knife.
Bill Bagwell..– maker of the Hell’s Belle Bowie- Damn, deadly, beautiful things
Bowie knives were the close range self defense weapon of choice for a long time in America up until the close of the civil war and beyond..
And the Bowie and the Tomahawk still are being used right now- in the sand box in anger- by Americans.
They were the first weapon to be outlawed and regulated.. young bloods were doing a lot of carnage with them back in the day, duels of honor, cutting scrapes of all kinds- and evan in Congress people were getting chopped up..
Schools were set up to teach the use of them most esp in N.O.’s- it all faded out now people are trying to reconstruct it..
A three year wait and about 3 K for a Bagwell Bowie..
I don’t have one but when I win the lottery I will..
lol
JimC says
https://frontierpartisans.com/1861/frontier-partisan-bladesmith/
Ugly Hombre says
Yep those are great too..
If you are a GI and headed to combat Mr Bagwell will put you to the top of the list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azWerLBGqJg
He has trained SF type people on the use as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbp_Yo7y7Mw
Years ago there were mass produced Hell’s Belle type Bagwell’s made with his permission by the Ontario knife company.
Those are long gone out of print and hard to find
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/bowie-knife-unsheathing-american-480038418
The book “Unsheathing a American Legend” is a vast bible of Bowie knife lore and history its a great resource full of 1800’s newspaper accounts of deadly afrays- well worth it if you can find one at a fair price.
Bowie knife was standard equipment for Frontier Partisans.