Dear Richard, Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. My sincere apologies for the delay with the appraisal. The presented object appears to be a sword or bayonet with 28 inches measurements. The design is Western but the inscriptions fit not to a known writing system. It could be made in the 19th century and the inscriptions could be made by Native American tribes. Comparable objects were recently offered and sold on the international auction market. This piece is in good condition and no severe damage is visible in the images. A fair market estimation would be between 100 to 200 USD. This estimate is based on recently recorded auction sales of comparable items. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and may vary. With kind regards, George