Throwing Club from Oceanic region?

[Kmaddock]

Hi All

I just bought this as a Knobkerrie which I am fairly certain it isn't

I assume it it is an oceanic region throwing club
overall length 20 inches or 50 cm
with a head diameter a shade under 6 inches or 15 cm

The shaft tapers to quite narrow at the base with no flair at the but as per most knobkerries I have

The head is cracked but solid and no decoration bar the notches near the head which have been there a long time (are these decoration or functional as they are done rather crudely)

Good hefty weight to the club

Any idea of age origin originality and all other information welcome

Regards,

Ken

[Kmaddock]

HI
Any ideas from anyone?
Thanks
Ken

[Ian]

Perhaps Fijian or Tongan. It's longer than most Fijian ulu and perhaps for Tongan throwing clubs as well. It is not a root ball piece, but rather carved from a branch and neighboring trunk wood, or perhaps in toto from main wood. These pieces often have carved grips, but not all.

[Tim Simmons]

There are undecorated short/throwing club like weapon used in Fiji and not all are grown as in using the root ball. I would not like to so this is 100% not Fijian but I very much doubt it is. There is a strong African look about it.

Some pictures of the forms from Fiji. {Fijian Weapons & Warfare, Fergus Clunie, Fijian Museum 2003}

[Kmaddock]

Thanks for your opinions on this
As it is totally un adorned bar the notches near the head I would assume it is a functional item as opposed to a tourist piece.
It is very tactile and a nice addition to my small collection of Clubs
Regards to all
Ken