*Indian, Late 19th to Early 20th Century, Concealed Military Swagger-Swagger Sword Stick, with Locking Mechanism*
A highly decorative Indian or Anglo-Indian concealed military swagger sword stick dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. Externally formed as a gentleman’s swagger cane, the piece conceals a steel blade within the wooden scabbard body, released via an ingenious twist-lock mechanism operated by rotating the silver-coloured collar mount.
The blade measures approximately 38.8 cm, with an overall unsheathed length of 53.2 cm and an overall sheathed length of 59 cm. The straight blade retains traces of its polished finish together with punched floral decoration and a boxed “INDIA” mark near the forte, indicating manufacture for the colonial export market. The hilt and scabbard are formed from dark hardwood with decorative carved horn foliate bands and silver-coloured mounts.
While not an official regulation military weapon, pieces of this type are strongly associated with British colonial military culture in India, where concealed sword sticks and swagger canes were privately purchased by officers, cavalrymen, police officials, and wealthy travellers. Their compact size and concealed nature made them practical defensive sidearms as well as fashionable status items during the late Victorian and Edwardian era.
Approx. Measurements – Blade length: 38.8 cm. Overall unsheathed length: 53.2 cm. Overall length in scabbard: 59 cm.
History Note:
Concealed sword sticks and swagger cane weapons were popular throughout British India during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, often purchased by officers, travellers, and colonial officials as both defensive arms and novelty pieces. Indian workshops became well known for combining traditional carving styles with European cane and dagger forms for the Anglo-Indian market.
*Condition*
Good untouched antique condition with age-related wear throughout. Blade shows staining, light pitting, and surface marks, while the scabbard and mounts display scratches, tarnishing, and old wear. The twist-lock release mechanism remains functional. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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