The wood here appears to be banati.
Part of the 'off putting' nature of the scabbard is that it was previously lacquered and I did not want to chance stripping the lacquer and not be assured of the result. Instead, I waxed it to create a more uniform appearance.
I agree that scabbards carved in the manner are unusual, and there is no reason to believe this one was not "born with" the blade. When I got it there was not any indication of anything that held it together except two narrow 'shadows' where you see the horizontal wrap now. That is another reason I proceeded as I did.
Wire is a possibility but would have been far more likely to have left a residue of some sort, or especially indentions where it was wrapped horizontially.
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