Golden Gate School of Arms

Instructor Bowles regretfully closed the Golden Gate School of Arms fencing school in June 2019. He will instead focus on Fencing Arms & Artifacts, his new, free online museum dedicated to documenting and cataloging fencing weapons, equipment, and ephemera. Please consider supporting the Museum's Patreon and help grow the collection: www.patreon.com/fencingexhibit

Life as a West Point - The U.S. Military Academy cadet in 1909. A description on the reverse reads: "Fencing, supplemented by single stick exercise and sabre du...elling, constitutes one of the principal branches of gymnasium work at the Academy. It is especially desirable for a military officer, who, despite the waning use of the sword in all modern armies, may at any time be called upon to defend himself with an edged weapon." I could use some help with the handwriting. Here's what I've got so far: "Tout le journée, dimanche, je pairied [sic] et le soir je recois a th??et. Comprenez-vous? Au revoir, mon chere Mademouselle [sic]. Te verrai vous samedi. Te suis, monsieur, ????. Help us document more fencing history and support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/fencingexhibit See the complete catalog listing here: https://www.fencingexhibit.com/items/show/101

The fencing bayonets are ready for this Friday's introduction class! Open to the public with all equipment provided.

Free assaults in French foil after Saturday practice.

French foil assault with Instructor Bowles (left) and Edward Sandoval (right).

For a couple generations duels were a daily occurrence in New Orleans. Read about the city's culture of honor and notorious duels in this 1907 article now digitized and preserved on our website.

Tuesday night epee practice with target practice on the hanging ball.

#LadiesWhoLunge

An analysis and video links for three famous early 20th century fencing contests including the 1922 contest between Lucien Gaudin and Aldo Nadi (pictured here).

If you're in Southern California be sure to check out the Bowers Museum "Knights in Armor" exhibit with arms and armor masterpieces on loan from Museo Stibbert in Florence, Italy.

"The etiquette within the salle prohibited all forms of swearing, discussions of an indecent nature, drinking, smoking, and fooling around or mocking other students in their practice or during the assault. These rules ensured a level of civility that would preempt any unintended or intended insult."

Take a tour of our new salle d'armes.

Senior student Edward Sandoval fences Maestro Antone Blair in our new salle d'armes.