Swords - Front

Apparently spears and daggers weren't enough. Physique photographers also had plenty of swords, and there were so many good examples that we're going front and back again.

1. Don Rackenby aka Don Rickenberg in an ancient Greek Corinthian style-helmut holding a cavalry saber by Bob Mizer in 1951.

Don Rackenby (aka Rickenberg) opens the set wearing a Trojan-style helmet, his sword thrust straight out in front of him at almost exactly the same angle as his manhood. Sometimes a phallic metaphor requires interpretation. This is not one of those times.

2. Unknown model and photographer holding a sword and wearing some sort of acrobat shoes. The style of this photo reminds me of a few different early 20th century photographers, but I could use some help here.

3. Jan Gilbert holding a sword by Al Urban c1955.

4. Glenn Bishop by Al Urban with sword and shield c. 1955. The file is labeled Norman Robbins, which is a publication coordinator who catalogued this photo for distribution out of the mid-west during the 1950s and 1960s.

 

Even our names get in on the act. Lance, Pierce, Rod and Blade all carry echoes of weapons or phallic slang, while surnames like Spear and Steel/Steele have turned up repeatedly in gay porn. It's another little reminder of how easily the language of weapons overlaps with ideas of masculinity, sexual potency and virility—making the sword an especially loaded prop.

5. Bob Stokes drawing a bolo machete from its sheath by John DeBono (aka Sunshine Beach Club--run by Kris Studio) in 1962.

6. Harry Gelfarb with a sword by Bob Mizer in 1953.

The swords come in all shapes and sizes—and yes, I'm aware of what I just said. They also give the models plenty to work with: standing, lunging, reclining, playing warrior or simply finding another elegant line through the body.

7. Ralph Kleiner holding a fencing foil behind his back - as one would - by Al Urban.  

8. Fred Regan by Bob Mizer holding a sword with a knuckle-bow.

Like so many of these recurring props, the sheer number of sword photographs is part of what interests me. This wasn't an occasional gimmick. Photographers returned to the fantasy again and again.

9. Bill Robb holding a sword by Bruce Bellas - 1958.

10. James or Jim Schwertley by Bruce Bellas in 1955 along a river beach near Omaha, Nebraska. Schwertley was awarded the title Mr. Nebraska in 1954. I am personally a big fan of his back side featured in bonus shot below.

10a. Cal Chess (lft) pulling Jim Schwertley's (rt) arm.

Please leave thoughts, questions, corrections or additions in the comments. Thank you, bns