Antique Napoleon Bonaparte Silver Walking Stick Cane C1840 19th Century

 used by many people to facilitate balancing while walking. Walking sticks come in many shapes and sizes, and can be sought by collectors. The walking stick has also historically been known to be used as a defensive or offensive weapon, and may conceal a knife or sword as in swordsticks.

Around the 17th or 18th century, a stout rigid stick took over from the sword as an essential part of the European gentleman's wardrobe, used primarily as a walking stick. In addition to its value as a decorative accessory, it also continued to fulfill some of the function of the sword as a weapon. The standard cane was rattan with a rounded metal grip. There were very often made of malacca (rattan stems) and showed the patina of age.

Types of walking sticks:

Ashplant — an Irish walking stick made from the ash tree

Devil's walking stick — made from Hercules plant

Shooting stick — it can fold out into a single-legged seat

Supplejack — made from a tropical American vine, also serves as a cane

Penang lawyer — made from Licuala. After the bark was removed with only a piece of glass, the stick was straightened by fire and polished. The fictional Dr. Mortimer owned one of these in The Hound of the Baskervilles

Makila (or makhila) — Basque walking stick or Staff, usually made from medlar wood. It often features a gold or silver foot and handle, which may conceal a steel blade. The Makila's elaborate engravings are actually carved into the living wood, then allowed to heal before harvesting.

Kebbie — a rough Scottish walking stick, similar to an Irish shillelagh, with a hooked head

Whangee — Asian, made of bamboo, also a riding crop. Such a stick was owned by Charlie Chaplin's character The Tramp

Malacca — Malay stick made of rattan palms

Pike Staff — pointed at the end for slippery surfaces

Waddy — Australian Aboriginal walking stick or war club, about one metre in length, sometimes with a stone head affixed with string and beeswax.

Ziegenhainer:— Knotty German stick, made from European Cornel, also used as a melee weapon by a duellist's second. The spiral groove caused by a parasitic vine was often imitated by its maker if not present