Silver went to Denmark's Ivan Joseph Martin Osiier, the only medal won by the perennial Olympian who competed in seven Games over 40 years.

1904 bronze medalist Albertson Van Zo Post (this time correctly recognized as American rather than Cuban) also returned.

The event was heavily impacted by boycotts by two of the top fencing nations over rules disputes.

These disputes would result in the creation of the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime to establish a governing body for the sport.

Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, and the United States each appeared for the third time, tied for most among nations.