Arms collecting and nostalgia

Jim McDougall · 23rd January 2025, 08:58 PM

Francantolin, I absolutely was powerfully moved by the Zorro movies! from the old Fairbanks films, Tyrone Power in the later versions, and of course the Disney series. Growing up in Southern Calif. the Spanish influence, scenery and the architecture of course was all around.

It was of course the SWASHBUCKLING that piqued the 'heroic' gene in most of us as young boys, and for me in later years taking fencing. Actually much of what we studied was 'stage combat' which naturally was quite a bit different from the more regulated forms with foil, saber and epee.

From what I have understood, in many cases swords were somehow rebated or altered to prevent injuries, but not always adequately. Many of the stars were actually trained in swordplay, but one of the most dangerous situations were being paired with opponents less than properly trained. Usually it was the more dynamic actions used in staged combat that injuries might occur, as these were by no means part of normal swordplay.

Sgt. Garcia was indeed a colorful character, and these performances would not have been the same without him!

Im glad you guys have mentioned these comics and stories which I had not heard of and now am interested in learning more on them!

Werecow, great on that TAKOUBA! and you should NEVER let it go! It has served as the benchmark for the joyful adventure you, like us, have gone into lifelong! I still have my first 'purchased' sword too......it was a rusty relic of a British M1796 heavy cavalry sword, which had the blade broken and welded back together. It was a lot of $ for me in those days, but what excited my young awareness was it matched a picture of one in a book. Then I began reading about the history of these swords, and that they were carried at Waterloo! It was thrilling to have and hold a sword like the ones carried by the Scots Greys in that battle! History came alive!

gp · 23rd January 2025, 10:47 PM

as a young boy I recall being wild about 4 series in the sixties;

1. Ivanhoe with Roger Moore, based upon Sir Walter Scot's novel about Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe during the 12th century reign of King Richard the Lionheart

2. the French series Thierry la Fronde ( the slingshot), played by Belgium actor Jean-Claude Drouot, during the Hundred Years' War, France occupied by the English, and the Black Prince rules France with an iron fist. In Sologne in the heart of France, Thierry of Janville is the hero.

3. a young Rutger Hauer in the series Floris , made by Paul Verhoeven, about the Burgundy wars in the Netherlands.

4. and a marvelous German series "Die merkwürdige Lebensgeschichte des Friedrich Freiherrn von der Trenck" / The Peculiar Life Story of Friedrich, Baron von der Trenck being Trencks history by the outstanding actor Matthias Habich

did any of you lads seen this series...?

gp · 23rd January 2025, 10:57 PM

talkin' 'bout Rutger...2 movies

Ladyhawk and Flesh & Blood

gp · 23rd January 2025, 11:23 PM

and not to forget Nikolaj Gogol's "Taras Bulba"...about the Zaporozhian Cossacks

romantisized film in 62 with Tony Curtis and Yul Brynner and in 2008 a more realistic one with Bogdan Stupka

23rd January 2025, 10:47 PM	#2
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 840	as a young boy I recall being wild about 4 series in the sixties; 1. Ivanhoe with Roger Moore, based upon Sir Walter Scot's novel about Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe during the 12th century reign of King Richard the Lionheart 2. the French series Thierry la Fronde ( the slingshot), played by Belgium actor Jean-Claude Drouot, during the Hundred Years' War, France occupied by the English, and the Black Prince rules France with an iron fist. In Sologne in the heart of France, Thierry of Janville is the hero. 3. a young Rutger Hauer in the series Floris , made by Paul Verhoeven, about the Burgundy wars in the Netherlands. 4. and a marvelous German series "Die merkwürdige Lebensgeschichte des Friedrich Freiherrn von der Trenck" / The Peculiar Life Story of Friedrich, Baron von der Trenck being Trencks history by the outstanding actor Matthias Habich did any of you lads seen this series...? Attached Images Last edited by gp; 24th January 2025 at 01:05 AM.

23rd January 2025, 10:57 PM	#3
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 840	talkin' 'bout Rutger...2 movies Ladyhawk and Flesh & Blood Attached Images Last edited by gp; 23rd January 2025 at 11:11 PM.

23rd January 2025, 11:23 PM	#4
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 840	and not to forget Nikolaj Gogol's "Taras Bulba"...about the Zaporozhian Cossacks romantisized film in 62 with Tony Curtis and Yul Brynner and in 2008 a more realistic one with Bogdan Stupka Attached Images Last edited by gp; 24th January 2025 at 01:03 AM.

23rd January 2025, 08:58 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,454	Francantolin, I absolutely was powerfully moved by the Zorro movies! from the old Fairbanks films, Tyrone Power in the later versions, and of course the Disney series. Growing up in Southern Calif. the Spanish influence, scenery and the architecture of course was all around. It was of course the SWASHBUCKLING that piqued the 'heroic' gene in most of us as young boys, and for me in later years taking fencing. Actually much of what we studied was 'stage combat' which naturally was quite a bit different from the more regulated forms with foil, saber and epee. From what I have understood, in many cases swords were somehow rebated or altered to prevent injuries, but not always adequately. Many of the stars were actually trained in swordplay, but one of the most dangerous situations were being paired with opponents less than properly trained. Usually it was the more dynamic actions used in staged combat that injuries might occur, as these were by no means part of normal swordplay. Sgt. Garcia was indeed a colorful character, and these performances would not have been the same without him! Im glad you guys have mentioned these comics and stories which I had not heard of and now am interested in learning more on them! Werecow, great on that TAKOUBA! and you should NEVER let it go! It has served as the benchmark for the joyful adventure you, like us, have gone into lifelong! I still have my first 'purchased' sword too......it was a rusty relic of a British M1796 heavy cavalry sword, which had the blade broken and welded back together. It was a lot of $ for me in those days, but what excited my young awareness was it matched a picture of one in a book. Then I began reading about the history of these swords, and that they were carried at Waterloo! It was thrilling to have and hold a sword like the ones carried by the Scots Greys in that battle! History came alive!