Shell up to 45.0 mm in length, fusiform-elongate, teleoconch of c. 7-10 whorls, protoconch of 3.5 glassy, purplish-brown, smooth embryonic whorls. Post-embryonic whorls sculptured with 4 low, rounded spiral cords, penultimate whorl with spiral grooves which produce 5-6 low, flatfish cords, body whorl with 17-24 cords and 4-6 cords on the siphonal fasciole; interspaces are narrow and prominently pitted or axially striate, striae override flat cords. Aperture longer than the spire, narrow, smooth within, columella with 4-6 oblique folds, siphonal notch distinct, siphonal canal straight. Creamy-white in color, ornamented with reddish-brown bars upon the cords, and at the sutures these markings become darker and tend to coalesce into blotches; the center of the body whorl has an ill-defined, broad and interrupted band.

The species has a considerably wider distribution than was originally thought. The species Mitra millepunctata is most probably the same species as C. rehderi but the type specimen is a badly damaged and worn specimen, so that some doubt exists as to its real identity. The taxon is conveniently disposed of as a primary homonym of M. millepunctata Sowerby, 1889. The species is easily separated on features of narrow interspaces and flattened spiral cords.

From E. Africa to Japan, Midway, Hawaii and the Kermadec Islands. Subtidal, 82-585 m