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Thumperings OP t1_j0rjeok wrote

I found the history of young Nazi's partaking in encouraged duels; and intentionally slashing their faces and enhancing the gruesome scars quite interesting.

The Mensur scar became known as a ‘Duelling Scar’, or in later years the ‘Nazi Duelling Scar’, and it became a fashion trend amongst upper class German men. They would often pack the scar with horse hair to make the scar much more gruesome.

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Krnpnk t1_j0s1x1n wrote

As academic fencing was done only in Burschenschaften which were instrumental in the (failed) democratic revolution of Germany in the 19th century it would be odd for it to be liked by the Nazis. Also I'm pretty sure it's not exclusive to elite universities as most of them have or had such Burschenschaften.

Maybe Wikipedia can give you more accurate information about it here.

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Thumperings OP t1_j0s7z3r wrote

Ah thanks! Sounds like you're right.

Found this searching "nazi" in that link.

During the times of the Third Reich, the national socialist leadership chose to forbid academic fencing. (It hints it was driven underground) but then states:

Following the war, most of the formerly suspended fraternities were reactivated and resumed the traditions of Mensur fencing if they had not continued throughout the time of Nazi occupation.

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UnderOverPressure t1_j0tnxai wrote

Mensur is still practiced today here in Germany. It IS seen as a more right wing thing but I chalk that up to the fact that the average, more left leaning student possibly does not share very conservative views on masculinity like getting scars in combat

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Tealtime t1_j0ut7qu wrote

There are much bigger issues with fraternities than the damn dueling, for example, the whole misogyny.

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