antique G.A.R. cane.

The Grand Army of the Republic was a Civil War veterans association and fraternal order. This cane dates from the early part of the 20th century, probably 1912 to 1915 or so. The tip of this cane pulls out and used to have this silk flag attached. I removed the flag because it was in shredded and fragile condition, and only became more damaged every time the tip was pulled out. The GAR did reenactments, parades and yearly events. I imagine the flag that extended out of the end of this cane was waved at many of these events.