Francisco Franco, Caudillo of Spain (1936 - 1975) dating: about 1936 provenance: Spain, A commander stick of Captain General (Lieutenant General) of the field army (Capitán General - Ejercito de Tierra) that belonged to the Caudillo. Solid gold head of octagonal section divided by three rings. All finely engraved with floral motifs. With ranks featuring three stars without crown on one side, with crossed stick and sword, a trophy of arms in bas-relief on the opposite side, the pommel with the Caudillo's coat of arms. The base with the jeweler's name 'LUIS PEREZ', marks '750' and 'CEUTA'. Wooden shaft of cylindrical shape slightly tapered towards the heel, with tortoiseshell covering. Faceted, gilded-metal heel decorated with a ring. The upper part with a hole for the tassels (missing) and gold grip. A beautiful commander stick that can be dated 1931 -1939, the only period with ranks without crown. It is very likely that the stick was given to Franco either in 1936, when he took command of the Spanish armed forces with the title 'Generalissimo', or in 1938, when he obtain the Capitán General rank.From the 18th century onwards, Capitán General with three and four stars (the fourth star was introduced in 1943 and Franco was the only one to keep it until his death) was the highest rank of the Spanish army, the equivalent to Field Marshal in other countries. The stick is provided with an expert's report certifying that it was produced before 1947, and therefore complies with European rules for the trade of protected species. length 84 cm.