I picked this up in Timonium this spring; seller was adamant that it was 18th century, though I don't know on what he based his attribution. The niello work on the sheath is obviously a later addition. I've included a close-up pf the sheath, to show that under its leather, there's a double loop of red twine; under the niello, there's evidence of a bit of copper wire, probably a repair.
The scales are wood, which seem to have been painted black.
I'd be glad to include more pictures of similarly poor quality if anyone thinks it would be of use.
