author
J. M. (John Musgrave) Waite
d. 1884
A celebrated Victorian fencing master, he turned years of military and teaching experience into practical guides on sabre, singlestick, bayonet, and swordplay. His manuals still draw interest from readers curious about 19th-century martial training and the roots of modern historical fencing.
1 Audiobook
Lessons in Sabre, Singlestick, Sabre & Bayonet, and Sword Feats or, How to use a cut and thrust sword
by J. M. (John Musgrave) Waite
About the author
Born around 1820, he served as a non-commissioned officer in the British 2nd Life Guards and became known as a highly regarded fencing master. He taught several weapons, including sabre, singlestick, small-sword, and foil, and built a strong reputation in the later 19th century.
He is best remembered for Lessons in Sabre, Singlestick, Sabre & Bayonet, and Sword Feats (1880), a detailed instructional work based on practical training. The book helped preserve a clear picture of Victorian-era swordsmanship and military-style fencing instruction.
He died on September 13, 1884. Today, his writing remains of interest not only as a period manual, but also as a window into how martial skill was taught, practiced, and understood in his time.