Whip ? for discussion.

Taffjones · 29th December 2012, 02:27 PM

Hi Guys,
This whip type item was sourced from the same person I had the Mandingo/Arab sword from a number of years ago. Could this have anything to do with slave trade as well or am I jumping to conclusions. It consists of a flexible steel core about 4mm in diameter surrounded by bone type segments. I think that some type of covering would have covered the bone segments. It has good age patina and feels well balanced in the hand. The overall length is 73cm.

Thanks in advance

Darren

Atlantia · 29th December 2012, 02:42 PM

Anecdotally these were popular with sea captains and mariners in the 19thC.
The shaft of the stick is made from the spinal column of a shark or similar large boney fish.
So they are cartilage vertebrae. They wouldn't have been covered, they would always have been exposed as they are now.
They seem to show a good amount of patina.
What is the head made from?
P.S. it's a walking cane.

Taffjones · 29th December 2012, 03:40 PM

Hi Atlantia,
The head seems to be made from a type of heavy hardwood. So you think its a walking cane. Dam fooled again.

Thanks
Darren

Sajen · 29th December 2012, 03:50 PM

I think the bone segments are from tuna burbles but I may be wrong.

Taffjones · 29th December 2012, 04:31 PM

Hi Atlantia,
Do you mean swagger stick?
Thanks
Darren

spiral · 29th December 2012, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taffjones

Hi Atlantia,
Do you mean swagger stick?
Thanks
Darren

That depends on how tall they were!

Spiral

Atlantia · 29th December 2012, 05:16 PM

Hi Darren,

Is the length across the curve or around it?
In either event it's still within the length range for a cane and rather long for a swagger stick.

Taffjones · 29th December 2012, 05:25 PM

Hi Atlantia,
Yes the length is across the curve.
Thanks
Darren

fearn · 29th December 2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

I think the bone segments are from tuna burbles but I may be wrong.

Googling "shark vertebrae" and "tuna vertebrae" and looking at the images, I think the original attribution was correct, these are shark vertebrae.

F

Atlantia · 29th December 2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taffjones

Hi Atlantia,
Yes the length is across the curve.
Thanks
Darren

It's probable that the curve is the result of use rather than design, so it would have been a few cm longer originally.

29th December 2012, 02:27 PM	#1
Taffjones Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abertridwr Posts: 50	Whip ? for discussion. Hi Guys, This whip type item was sourced from the same person I had the Mandingo/Arab sword from a number of years ago. Could this have anything to do with slave trade as well or am I jumping to conclusions. It consists of a flexible steel core about 4mm in diameter surrounded by bone type segments. I think that some type of covering would have covered the bone segments. It has good age patina and feels well balanced in the hand. The overall length is 73cm. Thanks in advance Darren Attached Images

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29th December 2012, 02:42 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Anecdotally these were popular with sea captains and mariners in the 19thC. The shaft of the stick is made from the spinal column of a shark or similar large boney fish. So they are cartilage vertebrae. They wouldn't have been covered, they would always have been exposed as they are now. They seem to show a good amount of patina. What is the head made from? P.S. it's a walking cane.

29th December 2012, 03:40 PM	#3
Taffjones Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abertridwr Posts: 50	Hi Atlantia, The head seems to be made from a type of heavy hardwood. So you think its a walking cane. Dam fooled again. Thanks Darren

29th December 2012, 03:50 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	I think the bone segments are from tuna burbles but I may be wrong.

29th December 2012, 04:31 PM	#5
Taffjones Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abertridwr Posts: 50	Hi Atlantia, Do you mean swagger stick? Thanks Darren

29th December 2012, 05:16 PM	#7
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Darren, Is the length across the curve or around it? In either event it's still within the length range for a cane and rather long for a swagger stick.

29th December 2012, 05:25 PM	#8
Taffjones Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abertridwr Posts: 50	Hi Atlantia, Yes the length is across the curve. Thanks Darren