This is a nice antique example of a classical Zulu or Swazi Assegai (Iklwa) short stabbing spear. The leaf shaped blade is 14¼ inches (36 cm) in length including the short exposed neck. The cross-section of the blade is that of a very flattened diamond, with the flat faces joining at a central midrib with an old filed finish with dark brown patches. The short shaft is oval to round adjacent to where the blade emerges and is wrapped with interwoven brass wire as the diameter enlarges. An old hide grip remains with much of the fur remaining. In its last few inches, the shaft widens. Lew dated this example as circa 1880 to 1890. Overall length is just under 43¼ inches (110 cm) with a weight just under 21¾ ounces (631 grams).