At first glance this object appears to be a scepter covered with leather, perhaps West African Mandingo from the black decoration over red-brown leather. Overall length is 22¼ inches (53 cm). At one end there is a bulbous widening that tapers to a point; the shaft then continues and then slowly tapers in diameter. A wooden core maintains the form under the leather covering both hilt and scabbard. At one point, just below the bulbous head, the leather overlaps and this is the clue to open this package to reveal a 15 inch (38 cm) long symmetrical blade that tapers to an acute point after having the edges run parallel for most of the length. The edges have not been sharpened. There is scuffing to the leather at either end and minor losses near the mouth of the sheath. The blade shows moderate old corrosive staining. The overall weight is just over 8½ ounces (244 grams).