Similar sticks, in which was hidden a blade of diamond cross-section, but about 10 - 30 cm longer, used to be common in Ethiopia, where they were "importantly" worn under the arm by various guards, guarding especially dwellings and various gates. These guards are cold "zabaňa". Sticks were made in a wide range of qualities, from the simplest wooden ones to decorated with silver or ivory. The narrower end of the wooden cane was often covered with a cartridge case. I'd say the trend ended in the 1970s. Private Zabaňas are still around, a lot, but now they carry police batons...
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