Ah, well, sword arrived. As I had secretly suspected, It's Mexican, marked "Noriega Hermanos" hecho Mexico, they apparently make 'Collectable sword machetes. Heavy broad distal tapered blade,butter-knife sharp edge, guard looks like cast aluminum, rest is a single headed n eagle, rampant lion shield on blade ricasso. grip is indeed stacked leather and thicker around than I like. No scabbard, needs reprofiling when I get around to it. Not of the highest quality I'd say. Other side is also etched with a pair of hunting lions, a female and a maned male in a jungle scene. Not terribly well balanced. Bit of rust here and there. Pommel is indeed a knights helmet in aluminum. It cost about the same as a couple pints of beer in London.
so no gret tragedy.
MY other Mexican sword machete (below) is a lot finer & better made & useable. It's made by a better mfg. in Oaxaca. Mexico. It is cool. (And Odd)