John Musgrave Waite

John Musgrave Waite ( – 13 September 1884) was a Victorian fencing master (sabre, singlestick, small-sword, foil), non-commissioned officer in the 2nd Life Guards.

Sword feats

He was famous for his public performances of difficult sabre cuts during Victorian assault-at-arms. "Corporal-Major Waite then performed a variety of sword feats, each of which was splendidly executed, viz., cutting an apple on the palm of the hand (held by Mr. Rorke), cutting an apple in a pocket-handkerchief without injuring the latter, severing a bar of lead at a stroke, and cutting through a sheep."

Works Self-defence; or, the art of boxing: With illustrations, showing the various blows, stops, and guards. By Ned Donnelly; edited by John Musgrave Waite, Weldon & Co., 9, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C., 1879 Lessons in sabre, singlestick, sabre & bayonet, and sword feats : or, How to use a cut-and-thrust sword: with 34 illustrations representing the different positions, London: Weldon & Co., 1880