I got it from a gentleman who told me it was Edwardian era, which I'd like to believe. Judging from the material, plus how it appears to be rather old, I'd like to think it was late Edwardian era. Would anyone be able to date this for me? If it was a "fake" it's a good one, material-wise anyway. I've set about cleaning it, and it's coming out rather well.

I make rustic western walking sticks (among other things) and can't help you with the identification. However you might want to check a walking stick forum that has several Brits on it: http://www.thestickman.co.uk/forum/index.php

Good luck !

Oh, the style of that cane has a handle that is usually referred to as a "Shepard's Crook."

She's a bit thin for any serious datin' , , , would some good ol fashioned shackin up do ?

1920's, origin England

Curious how you determined that ?

When I lived with my Great Grandfather back in the 1930's he had a cane assortment of which came from England with him on the boat. That cane has the age and look of what he had. JMO

Thanks for the explanation. It does have a few distinct features but all my knowledge is for modern ones

Showing your age, eh?

The cane is certainly not Edwardian. The finish design itself would have been extremely out of place for the time period. Being what it is, it would be made in the style and finish that was most fashionable. Like hoffies, I would put it in the 20's and early 30's.

Hmm. I thought walking sticks had fallen out of fashion by the teens or early 20's. When did their popularity start to fade?

I don't have any references, but I think canes have always been very popular in England. Also they are used a lot in the US throughout the years. The use is functional as well as fashionable....more so in the UK ? Remember the riddle of the Sphinx ??

Fashion is a dirty word to use. Canes and walking sticks were not 'fashionable' past the teens, but that didn't mean that everybody just broke theirs over their knee and tossed it in the rubbish bin. Obviously, their 'fashion' was not so much vanity as it was functionality. When they fell out of fashion, they simply fell out of favor with those who used it as a 'swell' accessory - just something else to lug around.

I read an article about ten years ago that said walking "canes" were becoming more common again they pointed specifically to (prior) drug (especially amphetamine) use as one predominant reason. I found that to be an interesting point of view.
Now, where's my hearing aid? One or two too many rock concerts, no doubt.

As the baby boomers reach old age, I suspect canes will be a good market

DROOL Awesome walking stick I can not get My Greeeeeeeeeat Granddads from 1629-30 because it is in a musuem down in Ipswich mass - he came over on the Lyon with his family from England.
the cane dates or predates that era because he took it with heim when he left england. if I ever find the pictures ill post them. The Man Whom Founded the State of Rhoad Island Roger Williams was also on that same boat that came over I am sure my grand dad got to know him well 1 year on a boat is a long time.

I wish I knew who O.T.W. was and what he was doing on Aug. 6, 1841, because I have his bone-handled walking stick. It's been in the family for a long time but no one knew just where it came from.And then there's a real walking stick, a gift to my father about ten years ago.

Alan, I don't want to create work, but I'd like to see a close up of what appears to be a duck head?

Antiqueradiobuff: My family goes back to Sherman, the first secretary of RI and also have a lot of Bedford, Sag Harbor whalers.

I thought it was a duck head too, but it isn't, at least not a realistic one with eyes and all...

Here are two hand carved "folk art" canes I own. The stick with the frog on top has a snake slithering up the shaft.

Dennis

The wood spirit one is interesting. Curious how old ??