VINTAGE IRISH SHILLELAGH CEREMONIAL BLACKTHORN FIGHTING CLUB OR MALLET * CELTICA

Description

10 INCH IRISH SHILLELAGH CEREMONIAL FIGHTING CLUB OR MALLET
The Irish Shillelagh (shilleelee) club is a club or mallet made from blackthorn wood out of a large knot. It is sometimes short and more of a mallet, as in the present case, or sometimes as long as a walking stick.
The shillelagh was originally used for settling disputes in a gentlemanly manner — like a duel with pistols or swords. Modern practitioners of bataireacht study the use of the shillelagh for self-defence and as a martial art.
Members of a number of Irish regiments in the British Armed Forces have traditionally carried Blackthorn sticks, including officers of the Irish Guards, the Royal Irish Regiment and the Royal Dragoon Guards. Officers and senior non-commissioned officers of the 1st Battalion/69th Infantry Regiment (The Fighting 69th) of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade, also carry shillelaghs while on parade.
APPEARS VINTAGE, BUT ACTUAL AGE ULTIMATELY UNKNOWN
MADE FROM BLACKTHORN, NOT MARKED BUT PROBABLY MADE IN IRELAND
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