Pre 1900 Authentic VICTORIAN ERA SOLID Brass Handle Furniture Hardware Pull #1
Pre 1900 Authentic VICTORIAN ERA SOLID Brass Handle Furniture Hardware Pull #1
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1890 Victorian Era Antique Exterior Mounted Door Locks
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Pre 1900 PR of Auth. VICTORIAN ERA SOLID Brass Handle Furniture Hardware Pull #5
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Pre 1900 Authentic VICTORIAN ERA SOLID Brass Handle Furniture Drawer Pull #3
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Vintage Victorian Era Guardian Angel and Children Religious Catholic Art
Vintage Victorian Era Guardian Angel and Children Religious Catholic Art
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Pre 1900 PR ORIGINAL VICTORIAN ERA SOLID Brass Furniture Handle Drawer Pull #10
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Victorian Era Replica Je Suis Immaculee Conception - Our Lady of Lourdes France
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Victorian Era Jesus, Mary, Joseph Replica Religious Catholic Art Print
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Victorian Era Ave Maria Virgin Mary Print Religious Catholic Art
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LOVELY VICTORIAN ERA LOTUS MOTIF SCALLOPED GILDED EDGE DISPLAY BOWL
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Antique quilt (crazy quilt with embroidery), civil war era (?) or victorian
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 Beautiful old Victorian era GLASS FISH CANDLESTICKS
Beautiful old Victorian era GLASS FISH CANDLESTICKS
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ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ERA WOODEN HUMIDOR DECORATIVE CABINET
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ERA WOODEN HUMIDOR DECORATIVE CABINET
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Pair of Victorian Era Metal Ceiling Light Fixtures Floral Motif #1
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Pair of Victorian Era Metal Ceiling Light Fixtures Floral Motif #2
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ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ERA BISSELL CARPET SWEEPER
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Decorative Antique Victorian Era Door Privacy Slide Bolt Complete, Cast Iron
Decorative Antique Victorian Era Door Privacy Slide Bolt Complete, Cast Iron
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Antique ribbon Victorian era silk golden sage 5/8 in dolls bears
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Late Victorian Era Ornate Radiator Cherub & Scrolling
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OLD FANCY VICTORIAN ERA STERLING SILVER MARKED GRAVY LADLE 40 GRAMS TOTAL SILVER
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Antique Victorian era silk ribbon trim 1/2 in pearl white doll bear
Antique Victorian era silk ribbon trim 1/2 in pearl white doll bear
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Antique Victorian era silk ribbon trim Black 7/8 in dolls bears
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 OLD ANTIQUE VINTAGE VICTORIAN 1920'S ERA GLASS DOOR KNOB PAIR SET # 10
OLD ANTIQUE VINTAGE VICTORIAN 1920'S ERA GLASS DOOR KNOB PAIR SET # 10
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 ANTIQUE ENAMELED GLASS BOTTLE DECANTER SIGNED VICTORIAN ERA ART GLASS BARBER
ANTIQUE ENAMELED GLASS BOTTLE DECANTER SIGNED VICTORIAN ERA ART GLASS BARBER
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Antique Brass Persian SAMOVAR SET Enamel Decorated - Victorian Era -Iran Nice
Antique Brass Persian SAMOVAR SET Enamel Decorated - Victorian Era -Iran Nice
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 Victorian Era Crazy Quilt - 1880 - Signed
Victorian Era Crazy Quilt - 1880 - Signed
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 19TH CENTURY VICTORIAN ERA CRANBERRY FLUTED DECANTER NR
19TH CENTURY VICTORIAN ERA CRANBERRY FLUTED DECANTER NR
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 Antique Vintage Victorian Era Mechanical Twist Door Bell Doorbell Hardware Parts
Antique Vintage Victorian Era Mechanical Twist Door Bell Doorbell Hardware Parts
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Antique Vintage Victorian Era Mechanical Twist Door Bell Doorbell Hardware Parts
Antique Vintage Victorian Era Mechanical Twist Door Bell Doorbell Hardware Parts
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 VTG ART DECO ERA GOLDSCHEIDER-EVERLAST VICTORIAN FAN GIRL FIGURINE
VTG ART DECO ERA GOLDSCHEIDER-EVERLAST VICTORIAN FAN GIRL FIGURINE
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 Antique English Victorian Era Game Box
Antique English Victorian Era Game Box
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 Antique Victorian era Ruby Red Hanging light fixture vintage pendant -Central FL
Antique Victorian era Ruby Red Hanging light fixture vintage pendant -Central FL
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GORGEOUS VICTORIAN ERA TURKEY RED LINEN TABLECLOTH - NEVER USED - 66
GORGEOUS VICTORIAN ERA TURKEY RED LINEN TABLECLOTH - NEVER USED - 66" x 108"
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 2 VICTORIAN ERA DAMASK LINEN SHOW TOWELS - MONOGRAM E
2 VICTORIAN ERA DAMASK LINEN SHOW TOWELS - MONOGRAM E
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SUPERB ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ERA FRENCH ITALIAN GYPSY BUSTS - MINT CONDITION
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 Antique Victorian Era Eastlake Style Grain Painted Marble Top Dresser
Antique Victorian Era Eastlake Style Grain Painted Marble Top Dresser
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ANT VTG VICTORIAN EDWARDIAN ERA IVORY SILK SATIN SASH REMNANT DOLL HAT MAKING
ANT VTG VICTORIAN EDWARDIAN ERA IVORY SILK SATIN SASH REMNANT DOLL HAT MAKING
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 Antique Victorian Era Brass Handled Copper Pitcher with Lions Heads
Antique Victorian Era Brass Handled Copper Pitcher with Lions Heads
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~ BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE PORCELAIN FLORAL WHITE CHINA CAKE PLATE VICTORIAN ERA CHINA~
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 Victorian era beautiful Art glass vases
Victorian era beautiful Art glass vases
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Vintage Chinese Junk Boat Birdcage - Late Victorian Era c1900
Vintage Chinese Junk Boat Birdcage - Late Victorian Era c1900
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 BEAUTIFUL WELL-CRAFTED OLD VICTORIAN ERA HEAVY WALNUT WOOD CLOCK SHELF 16
BEAUTIFUL WELL-CRAFTED OLD VICTORIAN ERA HEAVY WALNUT WOOD CLOCK SHELF 16" WIDE
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 Stilton Dish Victorian Era Cheese Bell - 1800's - Antique Pottery
Stilton Dish Victorian Era Cheese Bell - 1800's - Antique Pottery
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 Antique lace Victorian Edwardian era Navy soutache braid trim
Antique lace Victorian Edwardian era Navy soutache braid trim
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Antique lace Victorian Era pleated embroidered bib collar child
Antique lace Victorian Era pleated embroidered bib collar child
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 Antique lace Victorian Era insertion lace w silk f petticoat flounce
Antique lace Victorian Era insertion lace w silk f petticoat flounce
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Antique lace Victorian Era insertion lace w linen f petticoat circular flounce
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 Antique Victorian Era BEN-HUR Pottery Pitcher
Antique Victorian Era BEN-HUR Pottery Pitcher
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ENCHANTING ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ERA PITCHER CREAMER - GIRL'S FACE IN FLOWER
ENCHANTING ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ERA PITCHER CREAMER - GIRL'S FACE IN FLOWER
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 Antique Victorian Era Oak Parlor Table End Table Side Table with Spindle Legs
Antique Victorian Era Oak Parlor Table End Table Side Table with Spindle Legs
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 Antique lace Victorian Era long lappet style collar cream
Antique lace Victorian Era long lappet style collar cream
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 Antique lace Victorian Era lrish crochet lace trim 2
Antique lace Victorian Era lrish crochet lace trim 2" cream
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ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ERA CA 1880 SEWING DISPLAY TENEO SNAP FASTENER - RARE
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ERA CA 1880 SEWING DISPLAY TENEO SNAP FASTENER - RARE
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 OUTSTANDING VICTORIAN ERA STERLING SILVER CROSS -17th.-19th. Century A.D!!!
OUTSTANDING VICTORIAN ERA STERLING SILVER CROSS -17th.-19th. Century A.D!!!
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 Vintage Victorian Era Pocket Oiler~Patented 1895~Miniature Oil Can
Vintage Victorian Era Pocket Oiler~Patented 1895~Miniature Oil Can
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 Unique Staffordshire Victorian-era Double Sided Art Pottery Box
Unique Staffordshire Victorian-era Double Sided Art Pottery Box
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VICTORIAN ERA PURE STERLING SILVER BOOT HOOK MINT! 31 GRAMS OF PURE STERLING!
VICTORIAN ERA PURE STERLING SILVER BOOT HOOK MINT! 31 GRAMS OF PURE STERLING!
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 Very Fine Antique Solid Rosewood Victorian Eastlake Era Armchair c1860
Very Fine Antique Solid Rosewood Victorian Eastlake Era Armchair c1860
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 Antique Coffee Pot Kettle Metal Ware Tin & Copper Victorian era Rome Ware
Antique Coffee Pot Kettle Metal Ware Tin & Copper Victorian era Rome Ware
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 German Art Nouveau Victorian Era Bisque Porcelain Figural Orientalist Nodders NR
German Art Nouveau Victorian Era Bisque Porcelain Figural Orientalist Nodders NR
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Pair of Cast Iron Victorian Era Decorative Ceiling Hooks for Lamps & Chandeliers
Pair of Cast Iron Victorian Era Decorative Ceiling Hooks for Lamps & Chandeliers
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 4 LARGE victorian era corner BASE PLINTH molding blocks PINE 6 x 6 x 1 1/8
4 LARGE victorian era corner BASE PLINTH molding blocks PINE 6 x 6 x 1 1/8"
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 Women's Victorian Everyday Dress Tie found in a civil war era trunk Arlington Ma
Women's Victorian Everyday Dress Tie found in a civil war era trunk Arlington Ma
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 Antique 1860s Victorian Era BOIS DURCI Maiden PAPERWEIGHT Francois Lepage
Antique 1860s Victorian Era BOIS DURCI Maiden PAPERWEIGHT Francois Lepage
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Victorian Era c1880's W H Grindley Copper Tea Leaf Decorated Ironstone Plate
Victorian Era c1880's W H Grindley Copper Tea Leaf Decorated Ironstone Plate
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 19th Century Webster Co Germany Sterling Silver Victorian Era Scissors.
19th Century Webster Co Germany Sterling Silver Victorian Era Scissors.
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 (2) Vintage Sterling Silver Victorian Era Heart Shaped Keepsake Boxes 3.82 oz
(2) Vintage Sterling Silver Victorian Era Heart Shaped Keepsake Boxes 3.82 oz
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 Antique Victorian Era Sterling Silver Vanity Hand Held Mirror.
Antique Victorian Era Sterling Silver Vanity Hand Held Mirror.
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Antique Victorian era silk net veil tulle pearl white 36inX2YD
Antique Victorian era silk net veil tulle pearl white 36inX2YD
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 Antique lace Victorian era linen galloon deep cream 4 1/2inW
Antique lace Victorian era linen galloon deep cream 4 1/2inW
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Victorian Era
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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