Ariel,
I can only answer a few of your questions. I cannot read the inscritions on the scabbard, too vague. The scabbard brass seems like a recent, low quality Syrian job, unlike the blade and hilt. As for the suspension, that doesnt look arabian at all, arabian tassles are very long, and have a very complex attachment which allows the sword to be slung comfortably over the shoulder. These require two seperate rings. Unlike this double ring. The brass strip looks like it was applied to secure the wood somehow, and strengthen it.
Very nice piece Ariel, I can provide an old pic (1933) with a bedouin man wearing one of these swords. I wonder if these swords were made in Damascus, or Istanbul or somewhere else. We know that the slim blade kilics were made in both cities, but what about these ones.
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