Amazing entry Triarii! While it might seem a bit off topic, actually these legal perspectives from these circumstances are most relevant. The sword cane/stick while intended as a defensive weapon, and primarily a deterrent, could certainly have been used otherwise as in a heated argument, and essentially a duel in cases.
Dueling is a most clouded topic, and while sensationalized in narratives and of course literature and movies in swashbuckling action, most are unaware of the legal issues involved which were very real behind the scenes matters. We could indeed do an entire thread on that topic alone.
Returning to the presumed deterrent aspects of the sword cane, we might note that these were intended to be less obtrusive than open wearing of the sword in the same defensive manner. But of course gentlemanly dictum of the period saw the sword cane as less than proper.
With the duel, contrary to popular belief, in most cases the objective was not to kill, but to deter the opponent, typically a simple cut drawing blood, even if a scratch, would satisfy honor and end the event. Skilled swordsmen knew deterrent moves with swords of course, and there were such movements which were meant to throw off a less than skilled opponent.
An interesting case is with the Van Gogh matter of his slashed ear. There is a well supported theory that his companion, Gaugin, may have been the real cause of that wound. Gaugin, a skilled fencer and duelist (as well as painter) after the heated argument with Van Gogh, stormed out into the night, and took his epee as self defense in the seamy night activity there. Van Gogh, incensed, went after him, wielding a straight razor, and when they encountered seems to have made threatening moves with it.
Gaugin, reacted instinctively with just such a deterring slash, but it was dark and possibly poorly guaged. Whatever the case, the result was the severing of much of Van Goghs ear.
Van Gogh relented and returned home , and contrived the story to avoid bringing authorities in against Gaugin, as this would have brought charges against him in view of his known reputation as a swordsman, and assault charges under dueling laws.
Again, not directly related to the topic, but legal matters which pertain in many circumstances to the sword cane as well as with the sword in dueling parlance.
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