2002 Americana & Decorative Arts. November 20.

single-piece hardwood cane has a pistol-grip handle, "tear-drop" cross-section of most of the shaft (very aerodynamic), becoming round at the very end for the attachment of a 1.5" brass ferrule. The unusual insignia on the upper part of the shaft of this cane has "RFC" in a medallion with wings on the sides and a crown on top. The wings and medallion are blue enamel with gilt highlights, the crown red. The Royal Flying Corps was the first branch of the Air Force in Britian, having been formed on 13 April 1912. By the opening of WWI, the Navy formed its own flying service, the RNAS, which, of course was in competition for hardware and funding with the RFC. After several unsuccessful attempts to coordinate the 2 air services during the war, the Royal Air Force was finally formed 1 April 1918. This cane thus dates to a scant 6 year period in which the RFC operated. Some damage to crown on one symbol. Overall length, 36.5".