August 18 & 19, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/18/2020
Using a 17th century rapier blade, this sword cane likely represents the use of a family or ancestral blade by a descendant in the early to mid-1800s, when a gentleman no longer went out obviously armed, but still felt obligated to carry a weapon. The cane body/scabbard and handle are wood. The handle curves down and narrows gradually to a point, imitating an animal's horn and pointing to an owner's status as a sportsman. At the base of the grip, a darker wood ferrule is inlaid with small bone disks bearing a dark ring and center eye. A spring catch secures the handle and body. The cane body is spiral bound in black leather producing a ridge and channel effect. There may have been a separately applied collar at the throat, perhaps with an owner's name, only a narrow paper wrapping remains, probably to give it a tighter fit. The blade is straight, double edged, and six sided in cross section with the central flat on each side shallowly channeled in the upper portion. Further down on both sides four short, sunken rectangular cartouches are placed on the central flat at the lower mid-point of the blade. No interior markings are visible in them They may have been blank and intended only to lighten and stiffen the blade. The upper blade, however, clearly shows a blade smith's running wolf mark on either side. Usually associated with the city of Passau, the wolf is rendered in cursory straight lines still retaining some gold-colored inlay. The form of the mark and the configuration of the blade suggest it came from an early 17th century rapier prized for its use of quality German steel. This is an interesting sword cane that repays study. CONDITION: Very good. The blade has a smooth surface, dull silver mixed with some thin gray in color. the edge is good and the markings distinct. The handle shows some handling marks and wear to the painted surface. The only fault to the blade is a very small portion of the tip that is bent. SR
Item Dimensions: Length: 37 - 3/4".