Hi Dennee,
Once more thanks a lot for your so well documented coments.
Concerning decoration, i can't wait to receive this ban and check it thoroughly ... within my limited knowledge, of course.
There is a mark on the scabbard that could well be the 'scar' of some decoration detail that has once been there, and which might have been removed or simply fallen off; the place where this is found is a sugestive one, as being the place where decoration buttons are applied, as i can see.
Naturally it could also be the mark of some 'stitch' to the wood, to avoid its braking apart ... or just my imagination
.
Fernando
.