Tie stick-pins...

I'm interested to know if anyone is knowledgeable regarding necktie stickpins. Not the small tie-tack or clasp-on tie bar variety, but more like a pin that is a about 2-3 inches long, and is affixed in the upper third of the visible part of a tie as its worn. Attached is a picture for reference:


They seem more of less purely decorational than functional. They obviously could damage a tie as they pierce it, but I'm intrested in what you folks know about them. They seem like they're late 19th/early 20th century.

I think these are often known as 'cravat pins' and are used to keep a cravat arranged (decoratively) as worn, for instance, with Morning Dress. I believe they were worn with complicated Victorian and Edwardian neckwear, and continued to be used with cravats into the 20s and 30s, possibly beyond.

You can still get more modern versions, mainly for cravats worn at weddings etc. Oh, and I've just checked -- they must still be worn with traditional equestrian dress as 'stock pins' which is why so many of them are riding themed. Hmm, although many of those appear to be arranged horizontally rather than vertically, so perhaps they are a slightly different thing... worn by ladies?

It is true, though, that once you've used one it tends to permanently mark the fabric, so you need to keep using one, or not at all.

Never seen them used on a straight tie, but I'm sure someone here knows about that.

The early ones I'm used to seeing tend not to have a keeper on the end but do have a crimped section on the pin itself to keep them in place
People often mistake them for hat pins.