Common European Weapons I

The Main Gauche was designed to defend specifically against thrusts, having a wider guard and other devices that aided in the defense of the hand of the wielder. This made it an extremely practical tool in duels specifically, seeing as the opponent was most likely using one of the more popular swords of the time such as a Rapier, which is designed particularly for thrust techniques. It was often paired with a quick mainhand weapon, keeping the fighter agile in both his attack and defense and keeping him from becoming unbalanced in his movements.Т Т  Т Т Т  Т 

There were a few popular variants of this type of weapon including the тЂњSword breakerтЂќ style that used slotted or comb style handguards that were designed to catch an opponents sword and hold it in stasis, opening them to offensive strikes. Whether or not the Sword breakers could in fact break a sword is disputed between scholars. There also existed a тЂњTridentтЂќ style, possessing a three-pronged blade style that was proven to be more often successful in catching an opponents weapon.

Though popular in the middle ages, the use of a offhand weapon has dwindled in modern day sports fighting, mostly due to the use of lighter and faster weapons such as the foil. Its use is forbidden in most official sports fighting establishments. It is, however, utilized to this day in some more true-to-history fighting venues such as the SCA where the style has been dubbed тЂњFlorentine StyleтЂќ, and it also maintains popularity in media culture as a тЂњDual WieldтЂќ style in many popular games and films.

Whether you yourself can appreciate the beauty and use of a Main Gauche, no one can deny that it makes up a good bit of sword history in Europe. Honor all styles!

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