Jeff,
I don't really know, but if the hand guard on mine was not bend so much, or the angle it was photographed in, was different it would also look as you describe. That Figiel has not commentet on it does not mean that the hand guars on his former sword, ccan not be screwed off, he might not have found it interesting, or maybe he did not even notice. It took me some time before I found out that it was loose.
Jens
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