Question...

[Profbillymiller]

I'm involved, with a bit of help, in a rather lengthy project to try to help bring many older martial arts back to life--hopefully in a sporting context of some sort. I noticed that there were many parallel reconstruction efforts working (Celtic wrestling groups just starting up, a lively pugilism community, the Bartitsu society), and on one of these sites someone pointed out that a major obstacle is the dearth of old manuals available. So I've started pulling together a group and republishing as many as I can.

I wondered if you guys could tell me if there are any important, salient, or interesting texts that are hard to come by today...and where you recommend I look. I have the typical resources available in libraries (worldcat, mostly), but I find that a few books are elusive using this method.

[Stolenbjorn]

Here's a good place to start: http://www.thearma.org/manuals.htm

(It would be easier to reply if we knew what kind of manuals you're interrested in, and wether you're a beginner, or someone who've allready read the stuff I link to above)

[Profbillymiller]

Here's a good place to start: http://www.thearma.org/manuals.htm

(It would be easier to reply if we knew what kind of manuals you're interrested in, and wether you're a beginner, or someone who've allready read the stuff I link to above)

I'm working primarily, at the moment, in late 19th century manuals--wrestling, pugilism, and early Jiu-Jitsu stuff. I've completed a few boxing manuals on Lulu from the 1880-1890 period, one from far earlier (about 1808), a wrestling manual from 1887, and the Police Gazette Jiujitsu manual from 1912, plus a bit of 19th century physical culture. So I suppose it's mostly unarmed stuff centered around 1860-1914.

However, my goal is to provide as wide a base for reconstructing older arts as possible, so I could be expanding into other areas if anyone is interested. Worstel-Konst was one that I had been contemplating, although the text is already online.

[Devon]

Honestly, I wouldn't bother with anything that's already available online. People involved in reconstructing late 1800s styles tend to be interested in simply getting the information to work with (in whatever format), so if it's already webbed I'm not sure that there would be enough interest/market to justify your production time.

The strongest areas of interest are pugilism, wrestling (especially catch and the more obscure local/regional/national styles), jujitsu, physical culture and self defense in general. Of secondary interest, though you'd probably still sell some books, would be singlestick, sabre fencing, bayonet fencing and other weapon styles.

There's a wealth of good info. in early fitness and sports magazines, which can actually be much harder for the average researcher to obtain than are many books, due to the scarcity of surviving copies. Unfortunately these magazines don't tend to be available via interlibrary loan, either.

[Tommy-2guns...]

ahh im looking into this area for study,. have been for a while,Right well first off id recomend cracking on with the living traditions


Speak to the cornish wrestling aliance guys

-http://www.cornishwrestling.co.uk/index.html - ive been in contact with the guy who runs the site, unfortunatly there is no cornish wrestling clubs near me, but i have had a go at some of the techniques with some sparring partners using modified Gi's instead of the jackets which are to come by. they sell a good manual which details all of the techniques used in the style,a good read i must say.


speak to louie pastore,or willie baxter - http://www.scotwrestle.co.uk ,i am of the understanding that he runs classes up in scotland,but crack along to your closest highland games and they usually have a wrestling event,go have a go or talk to some of the chaps involved,no manuals on it i beleive however louie has a book on highland dirk fighting that has i am led to beleive trips and throws he has taken from traditional scottish dance.

The bartitsu site is run by a cracking bloke called James marwood,you can get in touch with james on the site www.fioredeiliberi.org, he knows his business when it comes to bartitsu,cane fighting (irish,english and american) and other such things,im sure he can give you some decent advice.

Pugilsm is something which is covered by the linacre school of defence, they also have some good manuals - http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Curriculum.php

Also on the www.fioredeiliberi.org site, they do have some good 18th-19th centruy works,some good works on bayonet fencing and the like.

A member on here called 'empress Akasha' also has intrests in pugilsm and has a pretty good document about the subject which is verry informative.

I avoid most books on catch as there are quite a few which are just riding the wave of the 'catch-in-MMA',however, our resident member slipthejab, has read into a few catch books and i remember him recomending a good one at some point im sure asking him could lead you to some interesting books.

Terry brown of english martial arts is now on this forum and his book 'english martial arts' is a verry good read and cover's pugilsm,he's a nice bloke and im sure he could help you in your reasearch.

Hope any of that helps,if you want any info on any specific's or about any certain treatise, i have a few knocking around some of which have been taken offline so just ask.

cheers