A put-together sword? Not necessarily a bad thing, as many colonial types were such. The pommel does indeed look like the cat pattern cap from a shiavonna. I think the piece could certainly be Spanish colonial. Copper hilts were common and cherished in Africa, but the piece looks more European. Malta isn't too far from the North African coast, however, and trade patterns/piracy might be considered. Everything looks authentically old, including the blade. Different!
