15th US Infantry Swagger Stick

[Dirk]

A small grouping of items associated with the 15th US Infantry, that was stationed in Tientsin, China between 1912 and 1938. Strangely the swagger stick is not silver. Like the China Marines, locally produced swagger sticks with the regiment, and were ideal for keeping beggars at bay.  The small enameled case is a Chinese made match safe.

[warguy]

As always Dirk, just a very nice looking display of material from a very interesting time and place. Thanks for sharing. 

[Dirk]

Warguy thanks! Should be getting back that Navy jumper from the restorer in September and will add that neckerchief to it…..will send you pix! 

[Backtheattack]

Great item you have. Could you please give us a photo of the complete stick? Is it rounded at the other end?

[Dirk]

On 10/31/2025 at 11:01 AM, Backtheattack said:

Great item you have. Could you please give us a photo of the complete stick? Is it rounded at the other end?

Here you go! Sorry I just saw your request!

[kiaiokalewa]

Aloha Dirk,

 

I thought I'd add a little context to this topic.  Here from the Pieyang Press, Tientsin, Peping, is a neat pocket book sized Customs guide for members of the 15th Infantry.  I'll just share the cover, forward and table of contents for review.

 

 

[kiaiokalewa]

What is interesting and if this grouping is truly assigned to the soldier in photo (looking enlisted to me) might answer your burning question about the composite materials used in this example.  

 

According to line item #9 explain what, when, and whom can use the swagger stick.  More interesting is the mention of riding crop.  Now I can't distinguish the difference between either authoritively but purhaps you can but to me I could envision the wooden example shown above used to crack the chops of a horse.  Noted, M.C. swagger being crafted completely of sterling strikes me in that equally officers of the Can-do tribe wouldn't had settled for anything less.  

 

Returning back to the the Costoms readout, "of standard 15th Infantry design."  It think this means the distinctive insignia authoritized by the WD but with embellishments like clouds, lotus flowers, dragons, etc...  And now going back to that wooden example, maybe this was a local curio sold on the open market for the enlisted swine fill their own needs of buggering off street urchins too.

 

Something to ponder.

 

A Hui Hou,

 

John 

 

[Dirk]

Fantastic information in that little booklet! Thank you for sharing it!!! The items I showed were not attributed to the same man…but a random sampling of 15th stuff I have come across