[Marbel]

I personally don't think much information can be gathered from anything attached to a Tboli hilt - chains, beads, bells, etc. They are obviously easy to attach and detach any time. Traditionally, brass chains and bells would be used. I think the use of beads - with or without bells attached - is probably meant to make a Tboli hilt look more attractive or authentic to a buyer, but in actuality makes it less so.