19th Century French Dumonthier gun cane. .410 bore; French breech loading gun cane. Leather over steel shaft with L handle made of horn. Mint condition. Button pull. .22 caliber with 30.25" barrel; "2" engraved on breech and "4" engraved near rear firing pin. Brass bands both ends of barrel to hold leather covering. In addition to their aesthetics, walking canes in the 19th century also served practical purposes. They were used by both men and women as a means of support while walking on uneven surfaces or for balance. They also provided protection, with some canes featuring concealed sword blades, while others had built-in compartments for storing small items such as snuff or perfume. 34 1/2"H x 4" x 5 1/2"
PERIOD: Late 19th CenturyORIGIN: France, Europe
SIZE: 34 1/2"H x 4" x 5 1/2"