Me again and another cane I need advice on!

Hi guys,

I've been buying again! I've managed to pick up this 9ct gold topped walking stick.

I am looking for some help on dating it and makers mark. I am struggling because the letter is in a circle, I think it's a 'd' or an 'o', but the hallmark letters I've looked at don't have a circle surrounding them!? I was hoping to be able to find the maker so I can at least find the area and dates he was working, but no luck. I'm thinking it's London, but not that clear so can't definitely say. Any help or ideas where to look would be great.

Another thing, you can see it has some damage, "minor" damage (!) Which is ok, but it was rattling and I shuck it and small stones came out the top. I'm a bit confused about this as wasn't expecting that!? Has anyone got any ideas why? I'm thinking maybe they moulded gold over "concrete" or the old equivalent, that has broke, but bits are so small it must have been dropped a lot!? I'm also wondering, would it be worth while trying to get it restored? Or would the cost be crazy and not worth it as I've bought it to sell.

Thanks again!

 

It appears to be a lower case gothic 'o' om a canted corner rectangle, but it's probably a combination of wear and being slightly out of focus that prevents a more exact reading. I'd say it is London.

You have indeed broken up the composition material that filled the top of the cane for strength.

Personally, I think it is a bit beyond help. I'd say scrap value only.

 

Matt and his canes!!!

 

Yeah, looking at it closer it looks like an o..has the little gothic flick to the top. I'll have another look.

Unfortunately I bought it on a whim from auction without a condition report! Newbie at work here! Ha

The stick is in great condition itself, it's just the top. Do you think it would be worth trying to sell, with all the flaws reported of course, for someone to buy to fix themselves or should I just cut my loss, remove the gold top and scrap it in!? Hate the thought of melting something that was a beautiful piece of work! I may be too sentimental for this business! Ha

 

Think I'm as obsessed with canes as you are birds! Ha

 

Melt the gold...it's a disaster..

keep the cane...& date...& find a new head for it !

 

Thanks for that. Think it might be best way to go with it. Such a shame because cane is lovely...Prob why my cheeky bid won though! Ha live and learn. Will I need to remove the gold myself or do you think a gold buyer place would remove it for me without damaging the cane?

Still having trouble with the date. I'll take a better photo tomorrow and upload it.

Cheers guys.

 

Good question...I doubt it was made to come off easy.....but if you decide to.....
I'd used my small pliers ..tear the top open ...empty the contents...and work down the seam....

 

I'll have to agree with you, Matt old sport, about the birds and the canes.

Okay, one of you wise guys make a remark about the birds and the canes.

 

Hi,

This is a clear a shot as I can get of the date mark. Ive looked in my book and think it could be London 1929, but obviously the shape the letter is in is different. Afantiques, you said it could be that the corners have been rounded over the years, do people still think that's a possibility? Or is their a gothic o year in a circle that im missing? Im also presuming it's London, but thinking could it be a castle for Edingburgh?

Looking now there is a Gothic 'o' in a circle for Edingburgh 1895, but my little makers mark book says there should be a queens head as well for those years, does that rule out Edinburgh despite it being a closer match letter wise?

Thanks guys!

 

Here is photo of the Edinburgh 'o'

 

1901, probably, certainly London, the mark is sideways.

 

1901 London is the letter f, do you mean 1929? I think it's London as well looking at it now. Sideways mark was confusing! Ha

Cheers.