Pastimes on a Battleship

Posted on Saturday, April 30th, 2022 by John Wood
Luigi Borra (aka Milo Brinn) was a famous strongman of the early 1900’s who would have been much more well-known had Sandow not been around. After briefly retiring for a few months, Brinn’s “comeback” show was entitled “Pastimes on a Battleship” and was a big budget spectacle the likes of which the crowds had never seen before.

Above you’ll see a rare image of the battleship “set” from a promotional flyer for said show.

Brinn opened the act by doing a handstand on the butts of two rifles — a fine start. He then went in to a variety of other feats including juggling cannon balls and balanced a 400-lb. cannon on his chin — it was a perfect combination of strength AND showmanship!

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Luigi “Milo” Brinn

Posted on Thursday, January 24th, 2013 by John Wood
Luigi 'Milo' Brinn
Milo Brinn (born Luigi Borra) performed feats of strength and took on all comers as a wrestler at the famous Folies Berger in Paris. Brinn’s act at the Folies consisted of tumbling and gymnastics, hand balancing, figure display, heavy juggling and feats of supporting and carrying weights. He could perform a crucifix with 66lb. in each hand and could do a one-leg squat holding 60 kg.

As a wrestler, Brinn won the amateur world’s title in 1887 and supposedly once defeated Sandow in a match.