Though shaped like an ice axe, this is a walking stick, being rather too flimsy to be used as an axe. These walking sticks are very popular in the mountainous regions of Germany, Austria and Switzerland and are sometimes called “trophy sticks”, the trophies being the little tin badges that are pinned on to the shaft – these can be purchased in tourist shops and alpine huts all over Central Europe and are designed specifically for the purpose. The flower design on the top is of an Eidelweiss, universal symbol of Alpine walking.
Jane Coll found this in the attic of the a house they moved into in Dunnet.
