Victorian sword stick esoterica

Jim McDougall · 20th August 2025, 03:40 PM

Amazing entry Triarii! While it might seem a bit off topic, actually these legal perspectives from these circumstances are most relevant. The sword cane/stick while intended as a defensive weapon, and primarily a deterrent, could certainly have been used otherwise as in a heated argument, and essentially a duel in cases.

Dueling is a most clouded topic, and while sensationalized in narratives and of course literature and movies in swashbuckling action, most are unaware of the legal issues involved which were very real behind the scenes matters. We could indeed do an entire thread on that topic alone.

Returning to the presumed deterrent aspects of the sword cane, we might note that these were intended to be less obtrusive than open wearing of the sword in the same defensive manner. But of course gentlemanly dictum of the period saw the sword cane as less than proper.

With the duel, contrary to popular belief, in most cases the objective was not to kill, but to deter the opponent, typically a simple cut drawing blood, even if a scratch, would satisfy honor and end the event. Skilled swordsmen knew deterrent moves with swords of course, and there were such movements which were meant to throw off a less than skilled opponent.

An interesting case is with the Van Gogh matter of his slashed ear. There is a well supported theory that his companion, Gaugin, may have been the real cause of that wound. Gaugin, a skilled fencer and duelist (as well as painter) after the heated argument with Van Gogh, stormed out into the night, and took his epee as self defense in the seamy night activity there. Van Gogh, incensed, went after him, wielding a straight razor, and when they encountered seems to have made threatening moves with it.
Gaugin, reacted instinctively with just such a deterring slash, but it was dark and possibly poorly guaged. Whatever the case, the result was the severing of much of Van Goghs ear.
Van Gogh relented and returned home , and contrived the story to avoid bringing authorities in against Gaugin, as this would have brought charges against him in view of his known reputation as a swordsman, and assault charges under dueling laws.

Again, not directly related to the topic, but legal matters which pertain in many circumstances to the sword cane as well as with the sword in dueling parlance.

Rick · 21st August 2025, 05:16 PM

"Mad, bad and dangerous to know" describes my father-in-law to a T.

Jim McDougall · 22nd August 2025, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

"Mad, bad and dangerous to know" describes my father-in-law to a T.

LOL Rick!!! I was thinking of ALL my ex wives!!

serdar · 23rd August 2025, 06:01 PM

If someone knows about this sword stick, blade is etched im not sure from what it is, springy, handle is made from walrus wery nicely with inlays, shaft is some kind of bamboo like maybe som swamp holow cane?, engrawed brass part.

21st August 2025, 05:16 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,366	O/T "Mad, bad and dangerous to know" describes my father-in-law to a T.

23rd August 2025, 06:01 PM	#4
serdar Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 177	If someone knows about this sword stick, blade is etched im not sure from what it is, springy, handle is made from walrus wery nicely with inlays, shaft is some kind of bamboo like maybe som swamp holow cane?, engrawed brass part. Attached Images

20th August 2025, 03:40 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,575	Amazing entry Triarii! While it might seem a bit off topic, actually these legal perspectives from these circumstances are most relevant. The sword cane/stick while intended as a defensive weapon, and primarily a deterrent, could certainly have been used otherwise as in a heated argument, and essentially a duel in cases. Dueling is a most clouded topic, and while sensationalized in narratives and of course literature and movies in swashbuckling action, most are unaware of the legal issues involved which were very real behind the scenes matters. We could indeed do an entire thread on that topic alone. Returning to the presumed deterrent aspects of the sword cane, we might note that these were intended to be less obtrusive than open wearing of the sword in the same defensive manner. But of course gentlemanly dictum of the period saw the sword cane as less than proper. With the duel, contrary to popular belief, in most cases the objective was not to kill, but to deter the opponent, typically a simple cut drawing blood, even if a scratch, would satisfy honor and end the event. Skilled swordsmen knew deterrent moves with swords of course, and there were such movements which were meant to throw off a less than skilled opponent. An interesting case is with the Van Gogh matter of his slashed ear. There is a well supported theory that his companion, Gaugin, may have been the real cause of that wound. Gaugin, a skilled fencer and duelist (as well as painter) after the heated argument with Van Gogh, stormed out into the night, and took his epee as self defense in the seamy night activity there. Van Gogh, incensed, went after him, wielding a straight razor, and when they encountered seems to have made threatening moves with it. Gaugin, reacted instinctively with just such a deterring slash, but it was dark and possibly poorly guaged. Whatever the case, the result was the severing of much of Van Goghs ear. Van Gogh relented and returned home , and contrived the story to avoid bringing authorities in against Gaugin, as this would have brought charges against him in view of his known reputation as a swordsman, and assault charges under dueling laws. Again, not directly related to the topic, but legal matters which pertain in many circumstances to the sword cane as well as with the sword in dueling parlance.