Hi ingelred,
That knife looks similar, but only similar, to the general style that emerged as a Gaucho knife in South America in the course of the 19th century, which in turn was based on Spanish and Mediterranean blade configurations.
As Helge correctly points out, the main differences are that the handles and sheaths/fittings of "Gaucho" knives were made either from silver, or later from German Silver and the blade was inserted into the handle. Also, from what I can tell on the photos, your sheath lacks the belt clip on the sheath that is characteristic of the breed.
We must remember that the Sth American nations did not have the facilities to manufacture blades before WWI, so these were imported, either as such or as complete knives. Gaucho knives, so called, are Euro blades re hilted locally.
After much deliberation I am tending to conclude that there is no such thing as a true "Gaucho" knife, since any number of imported blades found their way into those regions and were used freely by the locals. Also, I will go as far as to suggest that the whole idea of the Gaucho is largely a fictionalized national stereotype created by 19th century and later romantic literati. Most "Gauchos" (agricultural labourers) were virtual serfs of landowners and too poor to buy even a pair of boots, let alone a silver knife - Those that nowadays are classified as Gaucho knives were either made in the 20th century, or if earlier, belonged to wealthy landowners, their overseers or warlords.
So your knife could indeed have seen use in Sth America, but it is unlikely to have been fitted out there.
Cheers
Chris
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