WWI British Army Cheshire Regiment Officer’s Swagger Stick
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Item: Military Swagger Stick
Make: Unknown
Age: 1914-1818
Construction: Nickel Silver, Wood Shaft
Dimensions: 26.75” Long
Condition: Good pre-owned condition. The ball top has dents throughout. Wood shaft has a lovely original patina and is slightly warped due to its age. Please see photos.
Details: The is an original officer’s WWI Cheshire Regiment swagger stick.
The Cheshire Regiment was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. The 22nd Regiment of Foot was raised by the Duke of Norfolk in 1689 and was able to boast an independent existence of over 300 years. The regiment was expanded in 1881 as part of the Childers Reforms by the linking of the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment of Foot and the militia and rifle volunteers of Cheshire. The title 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment continued to be used within the regiment. On 1 September 2007, the Cheshire Regiment was merged with the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot) and the Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's) to form a new large regiment, the Mercian Regiment, becoming the 1st Battalion, Mercian Regiment. The Cheshire Regiment fought with distinction in all major conflicts since their formation. It has a white metal nickel plated ball top with embossed badge of the Cheshire Regiment and conical nickel plated metal ferrule.
Swagger sticks were once in vogue in the United States Marine Corps, starting as an informal accessory carried by officers in the late 19th century. In 1915, it gained official approval as recruiters were encouraged to carry them to improve their public image. This tradition grew when Marines deployed for World War I encountered European officers carrying swagger sticks, leading to an entry in the uniform regulations in 1922 authorizing enlisted marines to carry them as well. The usage died down in the 1930s and 40s, with the exception of China Marines, and came back into vogue with a 1952 regulation encouraging them, reaching a peak from 1956 to 1960.