Dear friend,

As you may already have guessed, Hammerterz Forum was forced to enter an extended creative hiatus after the August 1999 issue (vol. 5, ## 2&3).

And since the reasons for this involuntary sabbatical – mainly my expanding family and the greatly enhanced responsibilities at my job – are unlikely to be letting up any time soon, Hammerterz Verlag was facing the only viable solution of closing up shop permanently and officially suspend publication.

But rather than leave you without the reading material you've come to love, we are happy to announce that Hammerterz Forum and Fencers' Quarterly Magazine (formerly Veteran Fencers Quarterly) have joined forces to bring you a truly unique fencing magazine aimed at not only in-depth reporting on the best and newest developments on the fencing scene – but also continue our mission to provide you with the most accurate, most challenging insights from the realms of fencing's history.

The even better news: As a loyal HF subscriber, you'll receive three years of FQM for every year of HF you still had coming! That means, if you still had a year's subscription of HF due, you'll get three years of FQM! (If you already are a subscriber to FQM, your HF subscription is simply added on to your existing subscription at a 3 for 1 ratio...)

I will be continuing my research into the Secret History of the Sword as the "Special History Editor" – kicking off the current issue with a close look at Saviolo's mystery clue at the lunge. Furthermore, my book reviews and select articles will resume publication here on the Hammerterz website.

Until my personal obligations allow me to revive Hammerterz Forum at a later point of our journey, let me thank you for your support and patronage... which really were the main reason for me to continue the publication for as long as I was able to.

Thanks a lot,

J. Christoph Amberger
Publisher, Hammerterz Form

P.S.: Of course, if you don't want to take us up on the FQM offer, we will refund you your outstanding subscription fees for the HF issues due to you.

The only thing we have to request is that you do so in writing: Simply send us a note to Hammerterz Verlag, P.O. Box 13448, Baltimore, MD 21203 USA.

Use this link to go the Fencers Quarterly Magazine website.