Vintage Fencing equipment

Jim McDougall · 25th February 2026, 12:42 AM

I have always had an interest in fencing and swordsmanship in studying the history of the sword lifelong, and have fond memories of my limited foray into this many, many years ago.

Several years ago I found a foil, European and believed latter 19th c. and recently found a vintage fencing mask with bib, said to be French and I presume early 20th, 1920s-30s?.

Can anyone offer observations estimating more detail?

werecow · 25th February 2026, 02:24 AM

Matt Easton has done a few videos on historical fencing foils that may be of interest:

The historical fencing foil, pt1
Historical Fencing Equipment And Training Methods
Fencing Foils Compared to Smallswords & Épée

He probably has more of them (just search his channel for "foil" I suppose).

Jim McDougall · 25th February 2026, 02:45 AM

Thank you so much!!!
Looks like the mask is older, 19th c. as was indicated when I acquired it, but may be more to turn of century. As Matt Easton notes, in these periods of fencing face and head were not permitted target. As I recall, when I was involved that was clearly not the case.

25th February 2026, 12:42 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,815	Vintage Fencing equipment I have always had an interest in fencing and swordsmanship in studying the history of the sword lifelong, and have fond memories of my limited foray into this many, many years ago. Several years ago I found a foil, European and believed latter 19th c. and recently found a vintage fencing mask with bib, said to be French and I presume early 20th, 1920s-30s?. Can anyone offer observations estimating more detail? Attached Images

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25th February 2026, 02:24 AM	#2
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 649	Matt Easton has done a few videos on historical fencing foils that may be of interest: The historical fencing foil, pt1 Historical Fencing Equipment And Training Methods Fencing Foils Compared to Smallswords & Épée He probably has more of them (just search his channel for "foil" I suppose).

25th February 2026, 02:45 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,815	Thank you so much!!! Looks like the mask is older, 19th c. as was indicated when I acquired it, but may be more to turn of century. As Matt Easton notes, in these periods of fencing face and head were not permitted target. As I recall, when I was involved that was clearly not the case.