This is vintage 33.5" hardwood police sergeant's directional stick.
An expert has been in touch to tell me it isn't a mining deputy's tapping stick but a police sergeant's signalling stick.
He says they are still issued by the police in Liverpool and the Isle of Man.

*** The brass ferrule is missing from the tip but easily replaceable. The stick has a slight curve so not ramrod straight.

***It is marked collection only as I can't seem to get a parcel option that is big enough under eBay's 'Simple' delivery system. I am sure I can post it but not via eBay so the price includes postage.