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 | C037 - Collector's item: A lovely old chestnut cudgel stickApprox. dimensions: Overall length 33" / 84cm Diameter of shaft 1-3/16" / 35mm near the top, tapering down to 3/4" / 20mm. |  | |
 | Here's another old rustic stick obviously intended to provide protection as well as support. It's made from a stout chestnut stem with the bark stripped off and the knots just rounded over to produce an intimidating knobbly appearance. |  | |
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| The top end has been rounded over to fit comfortably in the palm of the hand.
You will note that the base of the top side-shoot has been retained. Quite
apart from the
effect this may have on the stick's performance in a spot of bother, it
enhances the grip; if you place your palm over the knob, a finger will
naturally hook itself under this little projection. This helps to prevent the
stick slipping out of the hand, and the subtle change of grip lifts the hand
slightly, effectively increasing the useful length just a little bit. The slight split which you can see above is old and stable. I wouldn't expect it to open up any further - and just to make sure, I have sealed it with wood hardener resin. | |||
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| The whole stick has a superb patina. As far as I can tell it has never been varnished, just oiled or waxed and worn smooth over a century or two of constant handling and polishing. All I have done is to give it a quick lick of linseed oil. | |||
  | However, as there was no ferrule on the end originally, the tip was heavily
worn and split. In order to limit the damage, I cut back the end slightly and
fitted a tip of cow horn. The joint is reinforced with a stainless steel rod.
This extends right through the tip, providing some protection from wear and
tear. The remaining small split has been sealed with wood hardener resin and should not give any further problems. |  | |
| SOLD | |||
