9. Malacca Coulaux Sword Cane
France Ca. 1850 The cane is fashioned of a high-quality malacca shaft featuring the desirable pronounced ridge and beautiful, even color highlighted by a natural gloss. It comes with an unassuming silver knob that is hand-chased and engraved, with a dense, continuous panel of scrolls on the side and a matching pattern on the top, centered by a blank cartouche, and is heeled with a flush-set white metal ferrule. So far, so good. But thanks to a concealed, high-quality quarter-turn locking mechanism, the cane can be pulled apart 5 ½” from the top to reveal a sharp, 28 ¾” long, single-edged blade with a deadly pointed tip. Amazing at first sight by its size and weight, the blade is distinguished by a singular concept of a wider centering blood groove framed on each side by a narrower and parallel one. The clue is that the pattern reverses in the vertical middle of the blade to progress smoothly and subtly from inwards curving blood grooves to outwards curved ones. Due to a surface that perfectly balances brightness, smoothness, and sheen, the effect is difficult, if not impossible, to catch, neither in descriptions nor in illustrations. It has to be taken in hand, seen, and felt to appreciate its wondrous feel. Furthermore, the blade is etched on the broader part just under the locking tongue, with an an- gular label for retailer “COTTRET ARQer \ 63. R. DE RIVOLI PARIS” and discreetly scribed at the same height on the narrower one “Coulaux & Co. Klingenthal.” Notably, Coulaux & Co. stands for a 19th-century dynasty of gunsmiths and sword cutlers from Klinenthal, France. It has represented various family members: Julien Coulaux Fils (son), who became head of the plant in 1801; Coulaux frères (Brothers) in 1838; and Coulaux ainé et fils (the oldest and his son) until 1870. At the same time, Coulaux veuve (widow) was active in another factory in Strasbourg (France) from around 1850. All the traits mentioned above are recurring trademarks of the French Coulaux manufacturers, with no one before or after them able to match the quality of their cane blades to such high standards. They push everything to the highest achievable level. In this particular case, the alloy, the forging process, the shaping of the blade and its surface, not to mention the smooth and perfectly adjusted locking device, are all highlights of sword canes. While sword canes aren’t always worth the hype, this one is ! What also makes it particularly compelling is how it bridges eras with a touch of nostalgia and romance. It remains rooted in the timeless tradition of the most celebrated French sword blade manufacturing, evoking a sense of history and elegance, while embracing modernity through its proportions, discreet design, and perfect mechanics. H. 1 ¼” x 1 ½”, O.L. 36”
$1,500- $2,000
Klingenthal is a village in France's Bas-Rhin department, in the historic Alsace region. It was home to a big manufacturer of various sorts of edged weapons and metal armor throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, and its name means “Blade Valley” or “The Valley of Blades” in Alsatian and German. For a few Coulaux sword canes, see C. Dike, Cane Curiosa, from Gun to Gadget, Chapter 28, Bludgeons, page 290. The photography was done under challenging conditions, and the results do not do justice to the cane's beauty, especially the blade. It must be seen in person to appreciate its beauty fully.
Continental Cane Collection Auction - 23
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker