*British, WW1, Royal Flying Corps Swagger Stick, King’s Crown RFC Badge, White Metal Mount*
An original First World War period Royal Flying Corps swagger stick, fitted with a white metal pommel cap bearing the crowned RFC winged monogram, dating to the reign of King George V and the period prior to the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918.
The stick is of traditional light cane construction with a rounded white metal top cap measuring approx. 4.4 cm in length, embossed with the Royal Flying Corps badge consisting of the letters RFC beneath the King’s Crown with outstretched wings. The badge is well defined and correctly of the WW1 pattern with the Tudor crown, confirming manufacture during the Great War period.
The shaft is formed from natural cane with a warm honey colour and visible grain, showing the expected age, handling wear and service use typical of privately purchased officers’ swagger sticks of the period. The lower end has no ferrule, which is not uncommon, as many sticks lost their tips through use.
Approx. Measurements – Top mount length: 4.4 cm. Overall length: 69.2 cm.
History Note: Swagger sticks were widely carried by officers and senior NCOs of the British Army and Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. Unlike regulation swords, these were usually privately purchased items, often bought from military outfitters and engraved or mounted with regimental or corps badges.
The Royal Flying Corps, formed in 1912, was the air arm of the British Army during the early years of military aviation and served throughout the First World War in reconnaissance, artillery spotting, bombing and fighter roles. In April 1918 the RFC merged with the Royal Naval Air Service to form the Royal Air Force, meaning swagger sticks bearing the RFC badge with King’s Crown must date to the period 1912–1918.
Such sticks were part of the everyday dress of officers both at home stations and on active service, and surviving examples with correct RFC insignia are now sought after due to the short lifespan of the corps and its association with early military aviation.
*Condition* Good original condition showing honest service wear. White metal top with age marks, small dents and surface scratching consistent with use. Badge remains clear and well defined. Cane shaft with handling wear, small knocks and surface marks. Lower ferrule absent. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
