Southern Plains Ball Headed Club with Snake - Skull - Cross Bones

19th century
22.5" l

Notes From Owner: ...  My father found this when he was a young boy in Tyler Texas near a rail road.  Only about 3 inches were sticking up out of the mud and he thought it was a root at first.  We have had it in our family ever since. My father passed away in 2019 at 85.  

The "Indian war club" or "Irish shalalie" is about 23 inches long and is made out of what appears to be a root or wood that has been twisted. It has many notches on it and 2 skull and cross bones carved into it.  It also has 2 hand forged nails holding the curled up portion together making the Snake Eyes.