It consisted of a single match, between Leonidas Pyrgos of Greece and Joanni Perronet of France.

Pyrgos won the match, 3–1, to become the first Greek champion in the modern Olympics.

Fencing masters were an exception to the amateurs-only nature of the early Olympics.

Masters fencing was held as an Olympic event in 1896 (men's foil only) and 1900 (all three weapons for men, as well as a special event in épée that pitted the top professionals against the top amateurs).

Standard foil rules were used, including that touches had to be made with the tip of the foil, the target area was limited to the torso, and priority determined the winner of double touches.