19th century. 31 1/2 total length, made for close quarters use within the kraal and hut. Traditional form with heavy wood haft encased in alternate segments of hide and maroon leather with raises rings and intricate basket weave bands as found on Ashanti sword scabbards. Forged iron head of characteristic form and iron base spike. Iron with smooth brown patina. The haft with crack from using green wood, reflected in the encasement, but sound and tight with the encasement complete and with good color. This is one of three in this short length the we have encountered and rare as the Ashanti were largely slave traders and less involved in slave capture.