ethno sword cane with curious handle

Jim McDougall · 29th November 2025, 09:23 PM

Not too long ago I posted on the well known sword canes, sticks of Victorian England which became popular as weapons of self defense for gentlemen. However these met with a great deal of consternation regarding the strict codes of gentry, deeming them unbecoming as 'hidden' weapons.

It seems these became popular among officers during the British Raj in India, though it is unclear exactly what influences may have diffused the idea into that context, or from which ethnic or regional factors might have done so.

It seems fairly well known that concealed dagger blades were present in various Indian weapons such as war hammers, battle axes etc. and these features were also known in Persian arms so presence throughout Central Asia and the Middle East as well as the Orient seem likely.

Whatever the case, the popularity in Europe seems to have been largely from influences in India.

These are most intriguing weapons, but difficult to acquire or transport due to legal issues as concealed weapons.

This example is British, with Solingen rapier blade (Toledo's were highly favored due to British fascination with fencing from mid 19th c) and termed a Malacca (for the source of the bamboo used for sheath).

29th November 2025, 09:23 PM	#11
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,780	Victorian sword sticks and canes Not too long ago I posted on the well known sword canes, sticks of Victorian England which became popular as weapons of self defense for gentlemen. However these met with a great deal of consternation regarding the strict codes of gentry, deeming them unbecoming as 'hidden' weapons. It seems these became popular among officers during the British Raj in India, though it is unclear exactly what influences may have diffused the idea into that context, or from which ethnic or regional factors might have done so. It seems fairly well known that concealed dagger blades were present in various Indian weapons such as war hammers, battle axes etc. and these features were also known in Persian arms so presence throughout Central Asia and the Middle East as well as the Orient seem likely. Whatever the case, the popularity in Europe seems to have been largely from influences in India. These are most intriguing weapons, but difficult to acquire or transport due to legal issues as concealed weapons. This example is British, with Solingen rapier blade (Toledo's were highly favored due to British fascination with fencing from mid 19th c) and termed a Malacca (for the source of the bamboo used for sheath). Attached Images