This is a very interesting systems cane that holds a steel measuring tape.

Likely a gadget cane designed for a joiner or carpenter.

The tape easily pulls out and automatically slides back into the cassette when released. To maintain the tape at a specific length merely slide the small button located on the top of the cassette into the hold position.

Made by CHESTERMAN a Sheffield based measure manufacturer. The measuring tape cassette holds the wording CHESTERMAN JC SHEFFIELD ENGLAND

The measuring gadget mounted on a Malacca cane and finished with an Edwardian style base ferrule.

Condition

The tape measure gadget cane is in excellent condition for age with just three minor expansion lines on the cane length. The base ferrule although Edwardian is evidently a replacement.

Measurements:

Length: 89cm

Of all the gadget canes, measuring canes are more likely to carry the secret with them in relation to what they are designed to measure. This is one such cane.

The initial view of the cane suggests a normal cow horn crook handle mounted on a bamboo shaft. Looking at the base of the cane there is no recognisable ferrule but a steel and brass measuring gage. This opens up when in use and clips close to the cane side when not in use.

When you turn the cow horn crook and pull – revealed is a measuring cane with brass ferrule on the base.

The purpose of this cane may be for a mortician, possibly a dog measuring cane as illustrated in the text of Catherine Dike ‘Cane Curiosa’ published 1983. Alternatively, a  ‘cattle measurer’. Held to aid the farmer in  obtaining the height, width and length of livestock to determine the weight.

Condition

The cane is free from breaks or cracks but has been evidently well used as shown by the wear on the cane

Length 103cm

Brass and mahogany cased three-draw telescope. Mounted on a high ridge Malacca shaft, completed with base metal ferrule. The telescope unscrews from the shaft and the pommel top unscrews to reveal the front of the telescope.

Condition

The gadget cane has evidently been well used, yet maintains an overall excellent condition. Free from breaks or cracks.

The Malacca cane  has a slight twist in the cane therefore not fully straight.

Length: 93.5cm

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The cane is made from one-piece ‘black palm’ wood. An exotic wood that has some unusual characteristics.

 Firstly, the colouration of the grain is a dark red brown with distinctive hard black streaks.

 Secondly, when viewing the area where the compass is held, the end grain looks spotted or like a hammered leather effect. It is this end grain, which was highly sought after during the Art Deco period for specialist objects of art.

 Black and red palm wood is an exotic species of wood that is held to be very difficult to work with due to its density.  The style and construction of this cane fits perfectly in  the Art Deco period 1900 – 1930’s

Condition:

Cane: The cane is excellent condition for it's age, free from breaks, cracks or restoration. There is some slight wood chips running down the length of the cane, however only found on close inspection. The base of the cane is fitted with a brass collar.

Compass: the compass is sunk tightly into the wood and is a good working example. Free from cracks, breaks and no evidence of  restoration.

Length: 86cm

Compass Size: 1.4 cm diameter

Width on Top Pommel: 3cm diameter

Base Diameter:1.25cm

A very special slim line  gadget cane

This may be a Briar drinks / tippling cane. However,  a little different from the early 20th Century 'novelty soft wood' type that are more commonly seen.

It is unlikely that the metal drinks holder is original but the drinks flask may be. It is the briar wood and the copper top which makes this cane stand apart in design and strength.

 Finished with the original ferrule.

Condition

The cane is in excellent condition fo age without breaks or cracks. However, the base ferrule holds a side split but is still firmly in position.

Length

88cm

Good working example of a whistle cane made from ivory and wood. Mounted on a black ebony shaft with original brass and metal base ferrule.

Condtion

The cane is in excellent condition for age yet showing appropriate wear and minor expansion lines in the ivory.

Length

85cm

The compass is constructed in brass with the working surface area covered in what appears to be mother of pearl. The Miner’s Brunton Compass mounted on a flame scorched bamboo cane with a solid silver collar (Hallmarked Birmingham- date mark too far rubbed to define)

Condition:

The cane is evidently well used or well shown with a few superficial ‘ding’ marks. There are no evident cracks or breaks to the compass. The shaft of the cane is also in excellent condition.

Measurements:

Length: 94.5cm

This is a very interesting automated gadget cane.

 The woodcarving resembles a bird with pale green glass eyes.

 The lower beak opens on pressing the leaver below the chin.

The head is mounted on an extremely thin hardwood shaft with a traditional Victorian / Edwardian brass and metal ferrule.

 At the base of the head is what appears to be an ivory ring followed by a 4. 5 cm length brass collar.

Condition

The cane is in excellent condition- free from breaks or cracks.

Length: 90cm

A good quality bone Vesta / match holder, completed with a silver collar marked for London 1913. The shaft of the hardwood cane finished with a base horn ferrule.

Condition

The cane is in good condition for age – free from cracks or breaks, yet shows the appropriate wear and bone discolouration for age.

Length: 91cm

Victorian Ivory Sword stick with triangular blade. Mounted on full-length bark Malacca and ending in a replaced metal ferrule.  Collar marked for sterling silver, Birmingham 1895 – 96. Silversmiths mark very rubbed and can only determine the letter C.

The silver collar is engraved with :

Presented by Employees CMWC

To

Mr W.F.Ser*****

Jan 1897

Chester

Condition

The cane is in excellent condition, free from breaks, cracks or restoration yet showing appropriate wear for age.

Length: 99cm

This is a beautiful Victorian silver & bone swordstick on black hardwood shaft. The elaborate silver decoration hallmarked for Sheffield 1891. The four-cornered blade held at the original length and removed with a twist & pull action.

Condition

The feel, balance and visual look of the cane is excellent. The condition is excellent but does show the normal age expansion lines on either side of the bone handle.

Length 92.4cm

This is good quality bone handled cigar gadget cane. Mounted on a quarter high ridge Malacca cane. Base of the cane finished with 7cm length two-tone bone ferrule.

Condition

The cane is good condition for age with minimal expansion lines on the bone handle.

Length: 87.5cm

Details Arriving Shortly

Semi - automatic petrol lighter with push button action. White metal although holding impressed mark HALLMARKED SILVER on base of lighter. Push the button on the side and the lighter lid lifts at speed.  The button needs to be pushed when closing the lighter.

Top of lighter engraved with TCD.

The lighter is mounted on a square hardwood shaft with what appears to be the original base metal ferrule

Condition

It is evident that the cane has been well used yet free from breaks, cracks or restoration. The lighter has not been tested for flame .

Length of Cane: 93.5cm

Large, heavy brass and wood 4-drawer telescope.

The front single lens extends with or without the removable brass lens cap. The rear of the telescope moves easily to an impressive full 4-drawer lens extension. The gadget telescope is mounted on black lacquered hardwood shaft with brass base metal ferrule.  Please see gallery pictures.

Condition

The cane is in excellent condition, free from breaks or cracks. The lens cover holds a minor dent mark from being dropped at some time in it’s life

Length: 94cm

This is a beautiful bone & ivory gaming cane. Mounted on a Malacca cane and finished with a silver collar and base metal ferrule.

The body of the games container is made from bone with a top pommel disk made from ivory. The top unscrews to reveal a small pot with two dice. On lifting out the pot the gaming discs are revealed ready for the game to begin.

Condition

The cane is in excellent condition for age – free from breaks and cracks but does show usage wear. The silver collar holds the remains of well-worn hallmarks.

Length: 93cm

Large tusk with cigar cutter mounted on hardwood shaft and finished with base metal ferrule and silver collar hallmarked for Birmingham 1891.

Condition

The cane is in excellent condition for age- free from breaks or cracks, yet showing appropriate wear for age.

Length: 91cm

This is good early 20^th Century, working example of a harmonica musical systems / gadget cane.

Machine turned silver collar. Assumed as sterling silver although not tested and lacks any silver markings to verify.

Hardwood pommel top holds George V six-penny piece (1910 – 1936)

Condition.

The cane is a lovely example of a harmonica musical systems cane, free from breaks or cracks. All parts of the cane appear original. However, the cane shaft has been cleaned and restored back to original condition.

Measurements:

Cane Length: 94cm

Top Shaft Diameter: 2.75cm

Base Shaft Diameter: 1.75cm

This is a lovely example of a pipe gadget cane. The disk top made from tortishell

The internal smoking bowl, screw thread and decoration on pipe shaft made from white soft metal.

The collar stamped in lower area with ST.SIL- Sterling Silver. Mounted on a light weight stepped hardwood shaft

Condition

The cane is in excellent condition – free from breaks, cracks or restoration. The minimal wear indicates it has been a collector’s item that has been well examined and displayed yet never used as a pipe.

Length 92.5cm