Hello Drac,
Very nice blade!
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I'm not too sure of the metal wrap on the handle. Is this a more recent addition?
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I'd guess that the brass rings replaced twisted silver wire that may have got lost/torn: Genuine rings can have geometric motifs, too, and even quite simple ones at that - however, these usually alternate with bindings to achieve a reasonable grip.
From the pics, the surface finish of the wood seems to be a bit uneven (aside from the chipped areas). If this is real, I also would consider the possibility that the pommel might be a later replacement (also the wood choice is unusual for an high-end example); very sound craftsmanship though, likely not recent work (possibly at the same time as the scabbard?). Any worn surfaces?
Regards,
Kai