Fijian Ula?
 

A recent acquisition. The dealer had it listed as a knobkerrie, but my instinct is that it's an Ula. Would be delighted if the experts could confirm one way or the other.

The patina is much darker and even than it looks in the photos. The upper shaft has a pleasing, subtle, diagonal tiger-stripe effect of dark/golden when angled in the light. The hand-grip carving is very worn compared to a lot I've seen. There is a random sequence of punched dots on the shaft, the pommel and the head. There are also, for want of a better word, wrinkles (not cracks) on the side of the head that seem to go with the grain.

What looks like white dust in the grip carving is simply light reflection.

It's not large, so perhaps a hunting version?

All thoughts welcome.

Dimensions

Length - 15.75in/400mm
Shaft width base - 1in/26mm
Shaft width mid - 0.8in/22mm
Shaft width top - 1.75in/44mm
Length head - 3in/76mm
Width head base - 3in/76mm
Weight - 1lb2oz/500g

I WOULD AGREE WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THIS CLUB. THE SIZE AND WEIGHT WOULD BE GOOD FOR HUNTING SMALL GAME BUT A BIT LIGHT FOR WARFARE. BUT IT WOULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN THROWN IN WAR IF IT WAS ON HAND. CONGRATULATIONS A NICE OLD FIJI CLUB. :D

Agree with Barry, nice club!

Regards,
Detlef

mottled wood grain reminds me of palm wood. too short for a so. african knobkerry. and they were not usually carved in the pommel end/grip area, and had the end swelling gradually in diameter. head is subtly the wrong shape for a knobby.

ULA for sure. and in the current market, worth a bunch more.

I love the wear on the grip!