There are basically three kinds of sticks, system/gadget, decorative, and folk art.

System/Gadget Canes

System canes, also know as gadget, container, trick or dual-purpose canes, are perhaps the most highly sought after variety of stick. Used much like we would use a purse or wallet today, gadget canes were developed with a dual purpose in mind, to be used both as a stick in the conventional sense, as well as some additional hidden meaning or function. There are literally thousands of types of gadget canes from which to choose, and more than 1,500 patents were applied for during the 18th and 19th centuries. It would be impossible to describe them all here; therefore, for the purpose of this article, discussion will be limited to categorization as opposed to a description of particular sticks. For greater detail, please refer to the bibliography section of this site for a list of excellent books containing information on gadget canes, particularly Cane Curiosa by Catherine Dike. If building your collection around system canes, this is a book you will want to acquire.

Gadget canes are believed to have been in existence at least since the 6th century when, so the story goes, two Persian monks smuggled silkworm larvae out of China inside hollowed-out staves.

It is often difficult to find gadget canes in a complete state, with all pieces intact, which contributes to their popularity and desirability. Given the fact that gadget canes were more utilitarian in nature and generally without embellishment as seen in decorative canes, after their fall from fashion in the 1920’s, they more often than not ended up in attics, basements, or worse, as playthings for children.

Gadget canes fall into four broad categories, based on their function:

1. Professional canes were used by a host of tradesmen and professionals to carry various tools and accessories. For example, a doctor’s cane might include surgical instruments, syringes and medicines. A horse auctioneer might carry a horse measuring cane, opening to reveal a calibrated rod for checking a horse’s height in hands, or in feet and inches.
2. City canes, used most often by fashionable ladies and gentlemen, often housed such necessities as cigars or cigarettes, snuff boxes, perfume atomizers and bottles, watches, opera glasses, pipes, and even hidden cameras. Musical canes such as flutes and violins (with a bow hidden inside the shaft) also fall into this category, and are extremely desirable and in great demand amongst serious collectors.
3. Outdoor canes held the items needed for outdoor activities such as fishing, bird watching, lawn games, picnic and tippling or whiskey flask canes.
4. Weapons canes are among the most complex of canes as they were skillfully crafted to conceal a host of deadly weapons such as flick sticks, daggers, swords, and even guns.

With gadget canes, value is determined partly by the cane’s function, which is often hidden. Dealers themselves do not always recognize gadget canes for what they are. For example, a sword cane may have been so expertly crafted that an unsuspecting owner may not even be aware of its hidden purpose!

Before purchasing any system/gadget cane, carefully inspect for replaced or missing pieces, which greatly diminishes the value. Buying from reputable sources and careful inspection by the buyer will greatly reduce the likelihood of an unhappy purchase.

• William Rau of M.S. Rau Antiques, Collecting Antique Walking Sticks, 12/9/99.
• The Encyclopedia of Collectibles, Canes, Staffs of Many Lives, by Frances H. Monek, 1978

Flick Stick

Container Stick - Shaft made of metal with wood veneer

Sword cane

Sword cane unsheathed - friction lock

Horse measuring gadget cane

Horse measuring cane; note the level