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What are the names of the canes carried by Victorian Era men?
In depictions of late Victorian Era fashion, I often see men pictured carrying a small cane that is obviously not used to help walk. What did they call those little canes and were they just a status symbol?
I believe you are referring to sword sticks. There's a longer variant which is the same length as a cane or walking stick, but which is called a cane sword.
Basically, a sword stick is a small sword or blade hidden inside a small stick, or walking stick or cane. There's a break at the handle (which is not generally curved like we think of canes today), and the bottom slides off, revealing a small, thin, but sharp blade which is attached to the handle.
They were a status symbol, but also a means of personal protection. They actually came into fashion during the 18th Century when a man might have need of a weapon, but couldn't carry an actual sword clanking at his side. At that time, pistols were still fairly large, and there was no way to carry one in a discreet fashion.
By the 19th Century, firearms were available in very small versions, and wealthy people, both men and some women, tended to carry those instead of blades. At that point, the sword sticks became largely a fashion accessory, rather than a real necessity. They remained a status symbol, though, because the really well-constructed ones were expensive, and only the wealthy could afford them. There were also versions which hid things like flasks for alcohol. I saw one in a book which had a large ruler in it and was used by a wealthy tradesman for measuring the depth of things like liquid in barrels (making sure the barrels were full to the top).
The only other thing I can think of which might meet your description is a swagger stick. They're small, and could be either a stick or a riding crop (a small type of leather stick used to urge on a horse--sort of like a whip, but not as long, and not as painful), but they were mainly carried by military personnel. They were a symbol of rank and status, but they went with the uniform, so I don't think you'd be seeing them widely in photos of fashions, unless you're just looking at uniforms.
I guess the easiest way to pin it down is by what the man is wearing. If the man is in civilian clothing, and isn't either in the military or a member of a Royal family, it's most likely a sword stick. If he is in uniform, or royalty, then it's probably a swagger stick or riding crop.
I hope that helps.
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