Here is an image of the Mangbetu 'trombash' I spoke of, which illustrates the scepter manner in which it was used, and perhaps in the same way in the case of this weapon, or the form it is intended to represent.
It was the image of this figure holding this piece in this manner that reminded me of Egyptian hieroglyphs I had seen somewhere (in a book, not in Egypt
Hopefully I can find it.
Colin, with your eye on these things I would be inclined to agree. It seems there are of course a LOT of these kinds of 'arms' made for the souvenir trade.