The scar that was famous in literature (I have a nice facial scar).
“Dueling scars (German: Schmisse) have been seen as a “badge of honour” since as early as 1825. Known variously as “Mensur scars”, “the bragging scar”, “smite”, “Schmitte” or “Renommierschmiss”, dueling scars were popular amongst upper-class Austrians and Germans involved in academic fencing at the start of the 20th century. Being a practice amongst university students, it was seen as a mark of their class and honour, due to the status of dueling societies at German and Austrian universities at the time, and is an early example of scarification in European society. The practice of duelling and the associated scars was also present to some extent in the German military.
American tourists visiting Germany in the late 19th century were shocked to see the students, generally with their Studentcorp, at major German universities such as Heidelberg, Bonn, or Jena with facial scars – some older, some more recent, and some still wrapped in bandages.”
The practice of duelling and the associated scars...
It would seem that the guys WITHOUT the scars should be more esteemed.
“A scar is a tatoo with a better story....”
Supposedly people would ask their barbers to cut them for a scar.
Today there is a group (possibly a black fraternity) where you are initiated with a “buck fifty” - getting a cut across your face that requires about one hundred and fifty stitches. I’ve never seen it, but have seen the brands on the arms from fraternities.
I’d like to see dueling make a comeback, politicians used to think twice before spouting off lies, lest somebody challenge them.