Hi
I don't think it's stainless steel. There is some light oxidation on the blade, some fluffy black stuff that hasn't shown up in the photo. I believe the scabbard has a wood lining, but can't really tell. However, I do know the other example I spoke about had a wood lining. I believe the copper is wrapped around this wood lining.
I think the handle is attached the same ways most old blades are attached. The tang goes right through the hilt. There seems to be a mark visible at the top of the knife - you can see the mark where the tang comes through on the gargoyle's head. This is the same sort of mark you'd see in a sword dating from the 19th century – for instance, the same sort of mark you'd see on a 19th British naval officer's sword (the lion head). However, it is subtle and hard to detect, but it's definitely there.
The handle appears to haven been cast in 2 pieces – a line runs through the profile of the hilt. However, is is not quite in the centre.
Regards
Ron
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