
This late‑19th‑century manual offers a concise, systematic overview of the codes that governed formal duels across Central Europe. Drawing on the author’s own observations and the earlier writings of noted fencing masters, it distills the essential statutes—from weapon selection to the role of witnesses—into a clear, practical format. The first part lists the official regulations, while the second walks the reader through the actual conduct of a duel on the field.
Beyond the rules themselves, the guide explains how seconds and witnesses should intervene, what gestures signal a challenge, and how to manage unforeseen incidents without compromising honor. Its detailed diagrams and step‑by‑step instructions reveal the ritualized choreography that turned a potentially chaotic encounter into a disciplined performance. For listeners fascinated by the history of honor culture, fencing, or the social rituals of the Austro‑Hungarian era, the work provides a rare window into a world where personal reputation was defended with blade and protocol.
Language
de
Duration
~6 hours (391K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Harry Lamé and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2017-03-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1847–1914
Austrian fencing master Gustav Hergsell turned his deep knowledge of swordplay and honor culture into books that still catch the attention of readers today. Best known for Duell-Codex, he also helped preserve important historical fight manuals from the late Middle Ages.
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