Shell with eight or nine whorls, with rather strong, oblique, slightly flexuous ribs, which end at the shoulder; above the shoulder is a wide, concave furrow, and between the furrow and the suture is a sharp ridge. Between the ribs are revolving threads which are stronger on the base; aperture short, narrowed below. Color dark brown, the spaces between the ribs on the shoulder lighter.
Length. 10 mm: diameter. 4 mm.

Shell broadly biconic, fusiform, spire angle 37°. length approximately 19 mm, body large, somewhat truncate anteriorly, little basal constriction. Protoconch two smooth whorls, teleoconch approximately eight whorls. Sulcus narrow, concave, bearing fine spiral striae and curved sinus traces, preceded by a strong, sharply crested subsutural cord somewhat distant from suture. Whorl outline flattish below sulcus. Body whorl riding up variably on preceding whorl terminally. Sculpture of approximately 18 narrow axial ribs extending slightly onto preceding sulcus, producing a shoulder of variable strength, with wider interspaces, disappearing on base, and 7-16 regularly spaced spiral threads between axials, more prominent and wider spaced below shell periphery, producing some weak beading on crossing the axials. Enlarged axial or two forming a varix behind outer lip. Aperture parallel-sided, ending in short, open, slightly notched anterior canal bent slightly right. Lip broken back, usually healed, just following varix in about half of the specimens. Weak stromboid notch. Sinus deep, U-shaped, with parietal tubercle projecting as flat roof-like structure nearly closing opening. Color shiny black when fresh.