Very old tin with cane, thrashed (7)
I believe the answer is:
ancient
'very old' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ancient that I've seen before include "Very old, belonging to times long ago" , "Belonging to a former age" , "Early" , "Bygone" , "Veteran" .)