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ID #SA1242016
FOR SALE
£550
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Antique Silver-mounted Malacca Horse-measuring Gadget Stick by T. Brigg & Sons London
For sale by The Antiques Hound
for sale €644     $699
£550
The Antiques Hound

The Antiques Hound

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2025
Browse dealers 61 items
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Id #SA1242016
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Antique Silver-mounted Malacca Horse-measuring Gadget Stick by T. Brigg & Sons London

19th century
Description

A rare Victorian/Edwardian silver-mounted Malacca horse-measuring gadget walking stick of exceptional sporting and campaign appeal. Retailed through Mayfair outfitters Thomas Brigg of St James’s Street, London, and crafted by provincial master John Gill of Welshpool, this dual-purpose cane conceals a brass-mounted four-sided boxwood rule with a folding right-angle crossbar and an intact glass spirit level.

Craftsmanship & Materials:

This superb gentleman’s gadget stick features a rich, naturally patinated Malacca cane shaft fitted with a silver pommel top and matching silver collar. The silver pommel cap is crisp and clearly engraved with the maker John Gill of Welshpool, alongside the original owner's name, H. Murray-Gourlay.

The Horse-Measuring Mechanism:

Concealed within the upper shaft is a smooth sliding boxwood rule stamped with the mark: T. Brigg, St James's St, London. When extended, the silver top lifts to reveal the rule with a rare triple scale (calibrated in Hands & Inches, Feet & Inches, and Centimetres), with integrated brass folding arm and glass spirit level. The hinged brass crossbar folds out at a precise 90^∘ angle over the horse's withers, complete with an inset glass spirit bubble to ensure absolute level accuracy when reading the height.

Provenance & Makers:

* T. Brigg (Retailer & Maker of the measuring rule): Located at 23 St James’s Street, London, Thomas Brigg was Mayfair’s premier outfitter of luxury walking sticks, whips, and equestrian paraphernalia for London's elite society.

* John Gill of Welshpool (Maker): Master provincial artisan responsible for the turned malacca and silver mounts.

* H. Murray-Gourlay (Owner): Custom presentation engraving associated with the Scottish landed family of Murray-Gourlay (Kincraig), confirming this piece as an individual commission.

This is a standout conversation piece for collectors of campaign, sporting, or novelty walking sticks.

Dimensions: 91 cm high x 3.2 cm top diameter

Good original condition. Glass bubble intact. Silver pommel has historic pitting and rubbed hallmarks, retaining genuine antique character.

Physical Dimensions
Height
91cm (35.83")
Width
3.2cm (1.26")
Depth
3.2cm (1.26")
Declaration

The Antiques Hound has dated this Malacca Horse Measuring Cane to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1242016
Description
A rare Victorian/Edwardian silver-mounted Malacca horse-measuring gadget walking stick of exceptional sporting and campaign appeal. Retailed through Mayfair outfitters Thomas Brigg of St James’s Street, London, and crafted by provincial master John Gill of Welshpool, this dual-purpose cane conceals a brass-mounted four-sided boxwood rule with a folding right-angle crossbar and an intact glass spirit level.
fig 1. An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap.
fig 1. Antique Silver-mounted Malacca Horse-measuring Gadget Stick by T. Brigg & Sons London

Craftsmanship & Materials:

“
This superb gentleman’s gadget stick features a rich, naturally patinated Malacca cane shaft fitted with a silver pommel top and matching silver collar.
The Antiques Hound

The silver pommel cap is crisp and clearly engraved with the maker John Gill of Welshpool, alongside the original owner's name, H. Murray-Gourlay.

fig 2. An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap.
fig 2. Antique Silver-mounted Malacca Horse-measuring Gadget Stick by T. Brigg & Sons London

The Horse-Measuring Mechanism:

Concealed within the upper shaft is a smooth sliding boxwood rule stamped with the mark: T. Brigg, St James's St, London. When extended, the silver top lifts to reveal the rule with a rare triple scale (calibrated in Hands & Inches, Feet & Inches, and Centimetres), with integrated brass folding arm and glass spirit level. The hinged brass crossbar folds out at a precise 90^∘ angle over the horse's withers, complete with an inset glass spirit bubble to ensure absolute level accuracy when reading the height.

fig 3. An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap.
fig 3. Antique Silver-mounted Malacca Horse-measuring Gadget Stick by T. Brigg & Sons London

Provenance & Makers:

T. Brigg (Retailer & Maker of the measuring rule): Located at 23 St James’s Street, London, Thomas Brigg was Mayfair’s premier outfitter of luxury walking sticks, whips, and equestrian paraphernalia for London's elite society.

fig 4. An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap.
fig 4. Antique Silver-mounted Malacca Horse-measuring Gadget Stick by T. Brigg & Sons London

John Gill of Welshpool (Maker): Master provincial artisan responsible for the turned malacca and silver mounts.

H. Murray-Gourlay (Owner): Custom presentation engraving associated with the Scottish landed family of Murray-Gourlay (Kincraig), confirming this piece as an individual commission.

fig 5. An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap.
fig 5. Antique Silver-mounted Malacca Horse-measuring Gadget Stick by T. Brigg & Sons London

This is a standout conversation piece for collectors of campaign, sporting, or novelty walking sticks.

Dimensions: 91 cm high x 3.2 cm top diameter

Good original condition. Glass bubble intact. Silver pommel has historic pitting and rubbed hallmarks, retaining genuine antique character.

Height
91cm (35.83")
Width
3.2cm (1.26")
Depth
3.2cm (1.26")
Date of Manufacture

The Antiques Hound has dated this Malacca Horse Measuring Cane to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1242016
The Antiques Hound
The Antiques Hound
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2025

Dealing in compact georgian and later furniture and original paintings

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The Antiques Hound Profile Page

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An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap.
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Archive I An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap.

Antique Silver-mounted Malacca Horse-measuring Gadget Stick by T. Brigg & Sons London

Archive II An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap. View II
Archive III An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap. View III
Archive IV An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap. View IV
Archive V An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap. View V
Archive VI An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap. View VI
Archive VII An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap. View VII
Archive VIII An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap. View VIII
Archive IX An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
The Antiques Hound

The Antiques Hound
Telephone 07762 954865
Location
Bristol
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/antiqueshound
Verified Since Dec 2025
Items For Sale 61
Items Sold 35
The Antiques Hound
The Antiques Hound
Verified Since Dec 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/antiqueshound
Verified
Dec 2025
For Sale
61
Sold
35
An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap.
Antique Silver-Mounted Malacca Horse-Measuring Gadget Stick by T. Brigg & Sons London
Ref: SA1242016
An antique malacca wood walking cane featuring a polished silver collar and cap.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWalking Canes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialMalacca Cane, Silver
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsSilver collar, Malacca cane shaft, Concealed measuring rule
  • SizeH 91 cm (36 in) x W 3.2 cm (1 in) x D 3.2 cm (1 in)

This Victorian walking cane is formed from a warm brown Malacca cane shaft paired with a polished silver pommel cap and matching silver collar. The silver top has historic pitting and rubbed hallmarks, while the wood shows a natural patina alongside a dark rubber ferrule at the base. At 91 cm high, 3.2 cm wide, and 3.2 cm deep, the piece functions as a concealed horse-measuring gadget stick housing a brass-mounted boxwood rule with a folding right-angle crossbar and a glass spirit level. Positioned beside the front door in a traditional hallway or displayed on a library desk, this sporting piece suits a study or living area dedicated to equestrian or campaign collections. Guests observe the engraved details and silver mounts, which reflect nineteenth-century gentleman's accessories used during outdoor excursions and country pursuits.

FAQs

A horse-measuring gadget cane is a dual-purpose walking stick featuring a concealed pull-out rule, often equipped with a folding crossbar or spirit level, designed to measure equine height in hands.

These canes traditionally combine lightweight yet sturdy timbers, such as malacca or bamboo, with silver or nickel-plated brass mountings and brass or steel internal sliding rules.

Authentic examples typically display maker marks or hallmarks on the metallic collar, precise hand-engraved measurement graduations along the inner rod, and traditional joinery consistent with historical umbrella and stick makers.

An antique cane is frequently styled by placing it within an umbrella stand in an entryway or displayed horizontally on custom mounts inside a study or library setting.

To preserve the stick, wipe the wood shaft with a dry microfibre cloth and occasionally apply a neutral microcrystalline wax, while polishing the silver collar gently with a designated silver cloth to prevent tarnishing.
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