Put history into practice
Educational Programs
Discover guided drills, technical exercises, and historical fencing instruction, including Verdadera Destreza, rapier, and sabre.
Explore Training
The art. The science. The legacy.
The Historical
Sword Society
Studying the swords, their history, their craft,
and the art of their use.
ResearchHistorical study
TrainingPractical application
PreservationAntique swords
EducationPublic outreach
NonprofitCommunity support
Study · Preserve · Practice
Our Mission
To preserve and advance the knowledge of historical swordsmanship through education, research, and structured training—ensuring these traditions remain accessible to future generations.
We combine historical treatise analysis, the study of surviving swords, and hands-on instruction to understand the European sword and its legacy.
About the Society
Our Areas of Study
Discover the traditions, craftsmanship, and knowledge behind the blade.
History
The cultural, military, and ceremonial roles of swords.
Explore history →
Materials
Forging, steel, and the science of blade construction.
Study the craft →
Art & Artifacts
Hilts, markings, decoration, and surviving examples.
Examine artifacts →
Weapons
The evolution and martial use of European swords.
Discover weapons →Literature
Original fencing manuals and historical writings.
Open the library →Practice
Historical techniques through structured instruction.
Explore training →The sword as a historical source
History, held in the hand.
Every blade invites closer study. Explore antique swords through their construction, markings, craftsmanship, and historical context.
Explore the Sword Collection Decorative hero artwork; not a catalogued HSS artifact.Learn from the sources
Research & Resources
Explore original fencing treatises, period writings, and the historical foundations of European swordsmanship.
Explore Resources
Keep the legacy alive
Support Our Work
Help sustain education, historical research, preservation, and access to training equipment and materials.
Donate to HSSCollectors. Researchers. Practitioners.
A shared passion for the sword.
Ask about training, research, or contributing equipment, books, and historical artifacts.