Thanks once again for the responses, this is all very interesting. I found the Hermann Historica auction on ebay, thanks TVV:
Link
And of course Rsword's explanation would also explain the existence of more than one. This one on Oriental-Arms does have quite the similar handle:
http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2563
Pity the Hermann Historica one has no scabbard, VERY happy about what they thought it was worth...
--Radleigh
Pics from the above mentioned auction: