Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Uniform Accoutrements - Drill Canes and Swagger Sticks

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Overview

Display of drill canes and swagger sticks. A swagger stick is a short stick or riding crop usually carried by a uniformed person as a symbol of authority. A swagger stick is shorter than a staff or cane, and is usually made from rattan. Its use derives from the vine staff carried by Roman centurions as an emblem of office.

Historical information

In the British Army before World War I, swagger sticks were carried by all other ranks when off duty, as part of their walking out uniform. The stick took the form of a short cane of polished wood, with an ornamented metal head of regimental pattern. The usual custom was for the private soldier or non-commissioned officer (NCO) to carry the stick tucked under his arm. Cavalrymen carried a small riding cane instead of the swagger stick of infantry and other branches.
In the British Army and other military forces following the Commonwealth traditions, commissioned officers of most regiments and corps formerly carried swagger sticks (described as canes) when on duty, whilst warrant officers and senior NCOs carried drill canes.
In the Australian Army only the Pace Stick carried by the Regimental Sergeant Major remains of this former tradition.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-54-872

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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