Though there has been a revolution in the use of walking poles recently in the UK, British walkers were nowhere near as prolific users of walking sticks in days gone by as our fellow wanderers over in the Alpine regions of Europe where it is very unusual to see someone walking in the mountains without a stick of some sort. We’re not sure quite how the tradition began, but Alpine walking sticks are very often made in the form of a lightweight axe which would seem to be a fashion trend rather than a practical one, since few of the sticks are strong enough to function as an axe. These sticks are often referred to as Trophy Sticks, the trophies being little metal badges which are specifically designed to go on the shaft. They can be bought just about anywhere out in the Alpine regions as a record of your visit. The lovely version we have here in the collection has a head that is more ice axe than walking stick and a shaft that is more stick than axe, with both showing fabulous patina of age. We suspect it’s made by a local blacksmith, abroad or maybe at home. It’s obviously well travelled and, we think, 100 or so years old. Sadly, as there are no markings to give us a clue to it’s origin, ownership or definite age and since we acquired it for a few pounds on the internet there is no other provenance. We suspect the round lump on the top conceals a nut, or similar, which attaches the head to the shaft and is there to make it more comfortable to carry in the hand.