Early Sword Cane

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Masterpiece Cane Auction

By Kimball Sterling

May 24, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-05-24 11:00:00 2025-05-24 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Masterpiece Cane Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/kimball-sterling/masterpiece-cane-auction-19479
A European Masterpiece Cane Auction Kimball Sterling kimballsterling@earthlink.net

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• Lot Description
  Ca. 1840 Fashioned of a selected full bark malacca, the cane is topped by a plain turned ebony knob and heeled with a 3 ¼” tall metal ferrule. The cane breaks in two pieces with a straight pull effortlessly, revealing a sleek linear tapered, triangular foil blade that holds in its chamber by simple friction. The breaking line, 4 ¾” from the top, is skillfully concealed under a beautifully turned collar that has been partially gilded. The high carbon forged blade has a maximum here possible 26 ½” length and features throughout deep hollowing on all three sides to reduce weight and maximize stiffness. Stepchild of the edged weapons field, it combines beauty, workmanship and rarity, boasts a superb profile and is as redoubtable as a blade can be. With a consistent patina on the wooden components and a crusty, oxidized surface on the blade, the entire cane had aged to perfection. If one would like the oxidation eliminated, you can use vinegar or other effective focused chemical agents. Its inconspicuous disguised nature enhances its allure. Malacca is a unique material for shafts that has shown to be highly durable over many ages and is not generally susceptible to woodworms. This specific item has withstood the test of time admirably and is the only one ever encountered with a few woodworm holes. H. 1 ½”x 1”, O.L. 33” $600-$900 Historically, bladesmiths were specialized smiths or metalworkers who created blades. While there are other factors for evaluating a blade, the four main ones are hardness, strength, flexibility, and balance. A good cane blade must be hard enough to maintain an edge over its whole length, which can range from 18" to more than 36". At the same time, it must be strong and flexible to take large shocks at virtually any point along its length without cracking or breaking. Finally, it should be balanced along its length in order to be successfully wielded. Klingenthal is a village in France's Bas-Rhin department, in the historic Alsace region. It was home to a big manufacturer of various sorts of edged weapons and metal armor throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, and its name means “Blade Valley” or “The Valley of Blades” in Alsatian and German. The methods used in Solingen, another significant sword-producing town in western Germany, had a significant influence on Klingenthal, which was France's first Royal Weapons Manufactory. Klingenthal flourished as a result of the nearby existence of iron ore and sandstone, which were largely utilized in grinders for honing and sharpening blades. The proximity of the site to the Vosges Mountains allowed for easy access to highland streams for hydraulic power needs. The local dialect, which was similar to their home German, made it easier to communicate with the Solingen artisans hired to import the manufacturing process.
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