English unmarked center-fire blow gun cane with a brass smoothbore barrel housed inside of the Malacca shaft. To operate, the metal ferrule is removed from the muzzle (bottom) of the cane, then twist the shaft to the left about twelve inches below the handle and pull. A chamber emerges for loading a center-fire cartridge. Push the upper and lower sections back together and twist the right to lock. The top of the round brass handle unscrews to reveal the blow hole. The compartment between the blow hole and the outer edge once held a sponge like, energy -absorbing material that was intended to absorb the force of the recoil and prevent the user from losing their front teeth. To fire, tip the cane up so the firing pin slides down its channel to the rear and against the blow hole, and use your mouth to blow air into the hole to send the firing pin into the rear end of the center-fire cartridge. The ferrule has a built in hook for removal of spent cases after firing. Provenance: The Larry Mattson Collection

Very good with some light handling marks, period wear, and attractive patina on the brass handle. The wood has been revarnished. Mechanically fine.