You're right Pete, that doesn't look like a beech handle.
I would be perfectly happy though to use it with my carving chisels and would certainly buy one if I didn't have 3 mallets already. (I might still be tempted

).
It's not meant to be used with brute force and if you watch a carver at work, most of the time the head will be cradled and the handle just lies across the heel of the hand. it's a very comfortable and efficient way of delivering light blows as the mallet is heavy enough to do the work without force.
Anyway, it's nice to look at even with a rubbish handle.
Bob