Combat fencing is the art of close combat with edged weapons. It was this that played the main role in countless wars of the past centuries. Combat fencing lost its former importance only in the 20th century, due to the widespread use of automatic small arms, artillery and armored vehicles. The author of the book, a member of the Smolensk Historical Fencing Club, examined all the main stages in the development of techniques and tactics of combat fencing in Europe. He considers fencing with swords and sabers, characteristic of the 18th-9th centuries, to be the pinnacle of European fencing art. At the same time, he emphasizes that some sections of combat fencing, such as bayonet fighting, baton and knife work, retain their applied significance to this day. This book is of great interest to those readers who want to improve their hand-to-hand combat skills, as well as for all lovers of military history, stage and sports fencing.