With the tang length seen protruding past the pommel area and given the base of the hilt shape I wonder if the pommel once looked like this one below but also with the added pommel spike.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=rhino+sudan
I suggest this because I also have a short sword length example with a Rhino horn hilt and similar markings but with the pommel spike/protrusion as seen on other types.
Gavin