After Napoleon lost the battle of Waterloo, the restored French king removed the officers who had rebelled against him in order to support Napoleon's return to power. They were retired from military service, disarmed, put on half-pay (Demi Solde) and their freedom of movement in the country was highly restricted. The sword in this cane is almost certainly the sword a French officer used in Napoleon's battles. Against the rules, the officer decided to keep his sword, with flax yarn woven around it and brass nails added to give a better grip... the former officer got away with his ruse and was able to parade his battle sword and Imperial Eagle around town right under the noses of authorities. Provenance: The Larry Mattson Collection