Cane With Sterling Handle

The wooden stick is nothing fancy and damages on the handle. I was thinking maybe to remove the handle and sell it for scrap. What do you think?
Thanks

 

How is it damaged? There is hard to see: or there is just mold or there is also crack? If just mold - take our of wood part and try to fix and sale without the cane. If there is crack - only like scrap. P.S. I think it won't be hard to fix it if there is just a mold.

 

Damaged like quite a few dents.
So, either way take the handle out?

 

I think so. First of all you will need to fix it (I think there won't be problem to find some not fancy jewelry place and fix dents for $10) and you will be able to get much more money than for scrap, then it will be easy to sale without the cane (that cane doesn't look too expensive anyway) and last one: shipping just handle will be much easy.
At least I would do it. But who knows.... maybe "local professional sellers" will give you another advice.

 

With it being "crushed",no experienced silversmith would make the repair for less than $100.

 

.... Well.... Of course somebody can fix it for $100. Also if I will go to Saks Fifth Avenue - they will fix for $1,000. But I am so lucky that found some guy who would do it for me just for $10 per item. I was looking for somebody for fixing sterling items purchased for sale and I found him. Also I had several silver plated and pewter Tea Sets from some Estate sale and almost all items were with a lot dents. All these sets were as part of big lot I bought and I was going give then to donation, because they weren't expensive and I didn't want to spend money for fixing, but my jeweler just explained me how I could fix them myself.
@kardinalisimo Here is some similar idea. Just look in youtube:
How Its Made: Dent Removal Part 1
There is some idea how to fix dents. But what you should do before fixing: boil water, turn it off and then put there Sterling handle. When this handle will be super hot - begin fixing dents. But you should wear some gloves!!!! Your handle is small (not a bowl or pot), because of this you should find some stuff in your house to be able to use as tools: something with round / oval end. Some wood spoons have oval end of handle.
Metal plumber's tools have oval handles.... Wrap it with soft fabric and begin "scooping" inside. Believe me - even you won't be able to fix for 100%, but it will look much better you could post it for sale as: Scrap or to use. Also anyway nobody will buy cane with damaged handle and then pay for shipping so long item.
And last one: it will be new experience for you.
P.S. If metal will be cold again, just repeat process with hot water.
Please send us picture.

 

I can see that you know little about working with silver,boiling in water only makes the piece too hot to hold with bare hands. The cane handle would need to be cut apart in order fix the crushed area.

 

I didn't say "boiling in water". Also as an engineer with first degree I know that sterling is very soft metal and just keeping it couple minutes in hot water will make it a little softer. Then as accountant with my second degree - I am looking for any possibility how to save money. And last one: it is always fun - to learn something new and to try do something new.
Well, what is your advice? Throw away this cane? Because I don't think there will be some super stupid person who will give fix this not expensive handle for $100. The only if this cane is not part of Family memories and another relative is going to use it.

 

Sterling doesn't start to get soft until it's heated at 900 degrees and fully anneals at 1100-1200 degrees.Lead is a soft metal,sterling is not "soft",a die struck sterling fork is almost as hard as a stainless steel fork.The OP can remove the handle,weight it and decide what what to do,he has heard some options.

 

Dear @Hollyblue I am not talking about Sterling Items as: forks, heavy pots or trays, but items like this handle or ... light weight sterling items like antique cigarette case, match cases or something similar - it is so easy for any man make dent in just with finger and it meas it would be very easy to fix it.
Also we are talking about exact sterling handle: it is not unique and not super expensive and there is not any way to pay big money for fixing. Also I am sure nobody will buy it as a "Handle" or as "Cane with Sterling Handle" in current condition - only like "a scrap", but if it is just "a scrap" - why don't try to fix it .... at least just for fun. Dear @Hollyblue - sorry, but you are very seriously during this conversation about "cheap damaged piece of sterling". This forum not only for "Conversation about Antique", but also for "Nice communication".

 

The sucker handle won't come out. I'm pulling and twisting but nope.

 

Cut the stick off but leave enough to hold onto,put the handle into hot water for a bit and try to twist. Many times the handles are filled with pitch,the photos don't show enough to see if the stick is pinned.Does the handle narrow above the collar?

 

It does not narrow. It has a bit of a play when I twist. Something is holding it inside. I'll cut it if I don't manage to pull it out.

 

if the wood is dense it would be a shame to trash it .....just to melt some silver...