The blade of this short sword of the Boa Tribe of central Zaire is just under 14 inches (36 cm.) in length. The dark wooden hilt is decorated on the ends with brass tacks and shows faint stippling on the faces where the handle widens. Faint lines suggest the grip was formerly wrapped with fine wire and a small stub of copper wire confirms this impression. The iron blade is incised in typical fashion with a number of parallel straight and curved lines on each side and there is a central circular aperture. Lew dated this example as circa 1890 to 1900. Overall length is 17 inches (43 cm.) with a weight of 8¼ ounces (234 grams).