Old Castello Fencing Swords Made In France

The swords are different lengths. The longest one is approximately 39 inches and the shorter one is approximately 32 inches. This discrepancy in length is possibly due to the tip of the swords being broken off. Both swords have markings that indicate they were made in France for the Castello Fencing Company, as well as the letters "G.S." and the number "5" markings which might indicate the type, style, quality, and /or origin of the swords.

The Castello's were a family of accomplished competitors, coaches, and fencing functionaries and ran a vertically and horizontally integrated business that combined teaching, printed instruction, and equipment sales.

Julio Martinez Castello, a Spanish fencing master born in 1882, founded the Castello Fencing Equipment Company in 1914. He established the company in New York producing a diverse line of French, Belgian, American, Spanish, and Italian foils, epees and sabres as well as accouterments and protective equipment. The company sold both electric and non-electric weaponry, and the majority of their blades were exclusively contracted from European and Italian forges. It’s unknown when the Castello Company closed exactly, but it is believed that Julio's two sons Hugo and James continued the business after their father's death. Julio passed away in 1971 at the age of 91.

Hugo Castello is credited with instructing Bruce Lee in fencing. Indeed, fencing concepts and language features prominently in Bruce Lee’s notes on Jeet Kune Do.

There is no evidence to support that the Castello Fencing Equipment Company forged their own blades in New York. Instead they contracted blades from a yet unknown forge in Italy, possibly the Scaroni or Serafino forges. Castello also sold Coulaux & Cie blades on their French foils and dueling swords, and for individual sale.

Castello blades often bear numerical delineations, such as “Castello No. 111" and “Castello No. 112” to signify their type, quality, and origin.

A Castello Company catalogue can be viewed at this web address for additional information:
https://www.fencingarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/vendors/castello/Castello%20Catalog%20and%20Price%20List%201979.pdf



In general, all items may or may not have been damaged by water, smoke, mold, insects, mishandling, animal chewing, cracks, nicks, dings, dents, rips, marks, stains, divots, waviness, creases, scratches, rust, etc.

***Please look at the attached photos for size and condition. Photos are part of the description representing the condition report and can be used for authentication prior to the sale date. We urge bidder's to view all attached photos in detail. All items are sold "AS IS". Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding.

Notes: Please inspect all photos carefully before bidding. Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding.

18%

Mike Marsullo | (860) 997-3332 | fil14fy@gmail.com

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Torrington, CT 06790

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Saturday, 8/13, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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