Sword Cane / Swagger Stick?

Jim McDougall · 19th February 2024, 07:17 PM

Kino, you might notice the thread I just opened in the MISC. forum...very interesting example. Ammunition shells of course seem common from 'trench art' about WWI and perhaps this was assembled from souvenir items of that period.

Martin Lubojacky · 20th February 2024, 09:03 AM

Similar sticks, in which was hidden a blade of diamond cross-section, but about 10 - 30 cm longer, used to be common in Ethiopia, where they were "importantly" worn under the arm by various guards, guarding especially dwellings and various gates. These guards are cold "zabaňa". Sticks were made in a wide range of qualities, from the simplest wooden ones to decorated with silver or ivory. The narrower end of the wooden cane was often covered with a cartridge case. I'd say the trend ended in the 1970s. Private Zabaňas are still around, a lot, but now they carry police batons...

Ian · 20th February 2024, 09:27 AM

Martin L,

Thanks for posting those examples. I think I would call these "swagger sticks" even though the owners were not officers in a regular army.

Martin Lubojacky · 20th February 2024, 11:21 AM

Yes, basically swagger sticks...

kino · 23rd February 2024, 06:32 PM

Thanks for your comments fellas.
It seems like the blade is pretty generic.

Jim, Thanks for placing a possible date on it. I’ll head on over to the Misc. forums and have a read.

20th February 2024, 09:03 AM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Similar sticks, in which was hidden a blade of diamond cross-section, but about 10 - 30 cm longer, used to be common in Ethiopia, where they were "importantly" worn under the arm by various guards, guarding especially dwellings and various gates. These guards are cold "zabaňa". Sticks were made in a wide range of qualities, from the simplest wooden ones to decorated with silver or ivory. The narrower end of the wooden cane was often covered with a cartridge case. I'd say the trend ended in the 1970s. Private Zabaňas are still around, a lot, but now they carry police batons... Attached Images

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19th February 2024, 07:17 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,193	Kino, you might notice the thread I just opened in the MISC. forum...very interesting example. Ammunition shells of course seem common from 'trench art' about WWI and perhaps this was assembled from souvenir items of that period.

20th February 2024, 09:27 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,362	Martin L, Thanks for posting those examples. I think I would call these "swagger sticks" even though the owners were not officers in a regular army.

20th February 2024, 11:21 AM	#4
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Yes, basically swagger sticks...

23rd February 2024, 06:32 PM	#5
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	Thanks for your comments fellas. It seems like the blade is pretty generic. Jim, Thanks for placing a possible date on it. I’ll head on over to the Misc. forums and have a read.