Make sure you inspect all ferrules and horn tips for normal wear. New horn tips on otherwise old canes have been increasingly common in recent years. The ends of vintage shafts may also be tipped with a solid plug, commonly horn, but possibly bone, ivory or other material. 11) Although you may occasionally find them on modern canes, bimetal ferrules are generally a positive sign of age. Bimetal ferrules are usually steel at the point of contact with the ground and surrounded by brass sleeves (Fig. Many, but not all, vintage ferrules are bimetal. A ferrule is a hollow metal sleeve fitting over the end of the shaft. How these pieces are assembled, the way the parts were manufactured and the material of which they are made are important clues in determining age and authenticity.Īny cane without a proper ferrule or tip, excepting folk art pieces, is suspect. Although handle shapes are not vital clues to age, correct handle names should be used in cane discussions, sales descriptions and appraisals.Īlmost all collectible canes, excepting some folk art pieces, have four basic parts in common: handle, collar, shaft, and ferrule or tip (Fig. Glass canes, political parade canes, advertising and novelty canes are not included in this article because those types of canes were not used primarily as fashion accessories.Ĭollectible canes can be further subdivided by the shape of the handle (Fig. Each of these categories is discussed in its own section. Generally speaking, there are three broad categories of collectible canes: gadget (also called system or mechanical), decorative and folk art. You should expect to find at least some wear on virtually all vintage fashion canes. Canes–like hats, shoes and suits–were meant for daily use. 'Fashion accessory' doesn't mean an object purchased simply to be stored in a closet or admired as it sits on a shelf. Unless stated otherwise, any mention of canes in this article refers to collectible canes, not orthopedic devices. The only exceptions are unusually decorative pieces or pieces owned by celebrities or historical figures. Orthopedic canes–used by the lame or temporarily injured–are rarely of interest to collectors. Virtually all canes of interest to collectors were originally used as fashion accessories, not for orthopedic purposes.

Rather than constantly repeat both terms, though, only 'cane' will be used for the remainder of this article. 'Cane' and 'walking stick' are essentially interchangeable when referring to collectible pieces. But with a little study, anyone can recognize most of the mass produced reproductions and typical marriages commonly found in online auctions, local flea markets, tag sales, malls and shows. Add American-sounding names and 19th century dates to painted twigs from Indonesia and you have a folk art presentation cane.ĭetecting elaborate fakes of rarities typically found only in specialty cane auctions takes years of study and experience and is best left to cane experts. Small clocks and cigar cutters–welded, glued or bolted–become gadget canes. A war surplus bayonet is reborn as a sword cane. Then there's the problem of genuinely old bits and chunks and parts and pieces being assembled or 'married' into antique canes. Take your pick of sword canes, folk carved wood or glass-eyed metal cobras. Everything from $10 Asian imports to $500 'executive' gifts. Canes and walking sticks tests for age, authenticityīrowse any mail order gift catalog, wander any antique reproduction warehouse and you'll see a wide variety of new canes and walking sticks.

Sword walking canes