African clubs...again !

[Conogre]

axes?
You ARE going to share photos and descriptions with your "other" friends aren't you? **hint, hint**
Freddy, this one had me stumped for a long time too....I actually had it pegged as a mace of some sort until I posted a photo here around 4 years ago and found out that in reality it's an antique fireman's tool used somewhat like our fire axes.
I'm assuming it's because the trditional wood and paper construction of village houses that a piece like this would be preferred over a normal axe.
Another piece of information that surprised me is that it's believed turn of the century Japanese firefighters waged "territory wars", much like as is shown in the movie "Gangs of New York", in which case these were probably utilized EXACTLY like maces in confrontations with other fire departments.
Getting back to your original piece, does the fashion of mounting the head appear as similar to you as it does to me?
I truthfully can't think of ANY other weapons or tools whose heads are affixed in a manner even remotely similar .
I wish I could be of more help, but I'm completely stumped.
Mike