Definately a Chinese mace, also called a Jian, but using a different character to that used for the sword. One Chinese site, the one I got this pic from, called it a Sleeve Mace and described it as an assassins weapon. The Chinese were casting iron from the early first millenium, so all bets are off as to dating, but if genuine probably Quing period as that era saw a lot of personal weaponry of this type produced.
|