Stick, a question of balance

[Tim Simmons]

Picked this up today. There is some label left on it. Could be genuinely old or a fake up. I have seen an item that I had swapped to an aquientance reappear at a local market with an old museum label and fountain pen scribble on it months latter. So never pay more just for a label.

This is a long knob stick not a knobkerrie 109cm long. What is worth some thought is the early piece of galvanized steel piping at the other end. Before I go any further I must say that the addition of this metal has created a centre of gravity in the middle of the stick. Just enough weight to make a long reach fast without loosing too much energy to the ball. One handed I might add.

Are we looking at "uggamugga me find look good on stick" or a considered approach to the making of a fighting stick weapon?

The label dated 7/11/70 is that 1870 or 1970?

Close inspection of the metal shows that it is not a small piece cut from a larger section of pipe. This is because the edges are galvanizised so it appears to be some kind of spacer or connection piece. Is this then a found piece? or an item of trade? I have looked at the history of steel piping and galvanization so a date 1870 is not unreasonable. I find it hard to believe that a found item just happens to finish the weapon? Any comments?