Fascinating story that of the Mbele a Lulendo. Actually I got offered one of those in 2006 and I really took it for a XVIth century Portuguese sword. I did not buy it however. I must have pictures somewhere...And a loose hilt appeared at ebay in 2012:
http://www.swordforum.com/forums/sho...7-What-is-this
I now think that the colonial Spanish swords with the lobated dish-hilt and brass applications at knucklebow and cross are from Philippines.
PS. I found the pictures from the sword I was offered in 2006 and it is the same "1697" sword discussed above.