Canne de Combat - the French Connection

La Canne developed in the early 19th century. At this time, French Gentlemen carried canes as fashion accessories, but also for self-defence.

Around 1843, Professor Leboucher published a series of 25 lessons on the use of the cane. Practice of La Canne flourished throughout the 19th century - it was taught in gyms, schools and the military services.

The arts of Savate and La Canne were brought close to extinction when many top instructors were killed during the first and second world wars. Between the two wars, however, the techniques of canne were taught in a few Savate boxing clubs, and even featured in the programme of national sports in the 1924 Olympics in Paris.

Cane fighting techniques of the late 1940s to 1960s were influenced by a small number of highly-skilled individuals, including Comte Pierre Baruzy and Roger Lafond. Maitre Lafond, was born in Paris in 1913. He trained at Joinville-le-Pont. Taken captive during the second war, he was released from a prisoner of war camp in 1945, and was still involved in the sport at the age of 96.

My photo shows an Italian Sword stick on display at the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford.