RARE NILOTIC WAR CLUB

Late 19th century. 21 3/4" length well carved with tapered haft swelling to a bulbous head with elongated projection. The butt encased in a .50 unnecked sporting gun bullet casing. The head decorated with spiral form strips of lead secured with trade tacks. The tip mounted with a single tack. Dry and surface encrusted with linear age checks. The lead oxidized to gray and one tack lacking. The casing is from a paper patched cartridge, in itself a rarity. The lead probably came from an ammunition case which were lined with lead foil to prevent contamination. The club was likely the property of a safari porter most likely in Kenya. Right out of the late 19th century big game hunts enjoyed by Teddy Roosevelt and his contemporaries.