Antique Sticks /Cudgels 19thc Blackthorn Irish Shillelagh . C1860-80.

A very good example of an Irish shillelagh, which was originally used to settle disputes in a gentlemanly manner, in the same way as they use to settle disputes with swords or pistols....this was done with sticks....sometimes the shillelagh was filled with lead at the base....like this one, they are traditionally made of blackthorn, as oak was scarce in Ireland....latterly the shillelagh is still used in ceremonial parades ....in fine condition with a very good natural colour that you get with blackthorn.

Irish. C1860-80.