[Gavin Nugent]

The hilt form is still made and used in Modern day Laos, see the image below.

I am unaware of the specific region these were seen in but in relation to the original item posted, perhaps, as a random stab in the dark, Akha made/influence in Burma with old Hmong influence to the hilt. I see there is well documented modern Akha Kachin relationships in these borders too.