This excellent Victorian sword cane has a deer antler handle with an ornate silver collar hallmarked London 1879-1880. The silver collar has a blank cartouche for engraving with an inscription or the owner’s name and also bears the maker’s mark of Jonathan Howell, a famous 19th Century walking stick maker. Jonathan Howell began making walking stick in 1867 when he joined his Cousin Henry Howells’ cane making business. Henry Howell died childless in 1888 and left his business to Jonathan.
The 665mm double-edged blade has a flattened diamond cross-section and tapers to a spear point. The blade is in good condition with some pale tarnish.
The blade is held firmly within the body of the cane and fits snugly, without rattle or play.
The cane has a brass and steel ferrule with almost no wear. The ferrule looks to be original to the cane and suggests that the cane was rarely used as a walking stick.
The cane is in great condition and has no damage or cracks. There is some minor wear consistent with its age.
Total length 838mm.
Disclaimer: All sword canes sold by Bygone Blades are sold as historical collectables. They are sold for decorative collectable purposes only. In the United Kingdom and many other countries, it is a serious criminal offence to use a sword cane in public.
