Gamble by a member here?

[katana]

Was hoping this Wahaika had gone un-noticed ( since it was listed as African) and I was going to pick this up 'for a song'.....no such luck. E-mailed seller and his description of weight etc certainly suggested that this was could be genuine (as in used,probably ceremoniously... late 19thC ? or a 'top of the range' tourist version.
I had previously searched for other examples on the web, most of which were of the tourist variety....this Wahaika was heavier and slightly larger than all of them, and the carving was more of a traditional form.

The Wahaika is one of the many forms of fighting club used by Maori warriors and was reserved for only the highest ranking and most respected fighters. It is often given as a ceremonial piece on special occasions.
The carved figure on the edge represents either a sacred ancestor or the god of war. The Wahaika was held so that the figure faced the warrior so it could see over his shoulder to protect his back. The notch in the front edge of the blade was used to trap an enemy fighters weapon so that it could be twisted away from the body leaving the opponent open to a fatal blow

Many Austrolasian clubs have, recently, been selling at incredibly high prices...

Regards David