Walking- Stick Harmonica

Walking-Stick Harmonica 

Images from The Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection (10)

Walking-Stick Harmonica, France, ca. 1890

NMM 8949. Walking-stick harmonica, France, ca. 1890. Many styles of walking sticks with harmonicas in their handles were fashionable at the turn of the 19th- to the 20th-century. The harmonica handle is made of hallmarked, textured "800 silver," with blow-only reeds. The 36-inch-long (914 mm) stick is made of ebonized wood, with a brass ferrule at the lower end. Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000.

Walking-Stick Harmonica by Swaine & Adeney, London, ca. 1860-1915

NMM 9280. Walking-stick harmonica by Swaine & Adeney, London, ca. 1860-1915. This example is made from the root end of a bamboo stalk and is slightly more than 38-inches (970 mm) long. Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000.

Walking-Stick Harmonica, England, ca. 1900

NMM 8948. Walking-stick harmonica, England, ca. 1900. This sturdy walking-stick harmonica, with simulated mahogany finish, has 10 diatonic blow-draw holes, allowing simple melodies to be played. The instrument has vent holes on the top and side. Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000.

This walking-stick harmonica is slightly more than 35 inches (898 mm) long.