Meas. 12" x 9" at the head. Split handle meas. Approx. 8".

This item was part of a private collection, the contents of which were excavated in the 1950's - 1960's. They were later donated to the Wentworth Military Academy, and recently de-acquistioned by same and sold at auction. The Academy, located in Lexington, MO, was founded in 1880 as Hobson's Select School for Boys; a year later it was sold and re-named the Wentworth Male Academy. It gradually evolved into a military school, officially changing its name to Wentworth Military Academy in 1890. It is the oldest military school west of the Mississippi, and is now co-educational. The item is still in its dug, untouched, never cleaned condition.