Oliver:
Thanks for posting this one. I had been following the auction and was outbid for it! Are you the lucky owner now?
I had exchanged emails with Battara several days ago about his thoughts on whether this was a silver-clad hilt--neither of us were sure what the metal was.
Previously, I've seen a couple of silver mounted kampilan, and they are certainly unusual. The use of banati wood on this one, also uncommon, would suggest that it is a high quality piece, although I think the silver work (and perhaps the whole hilt) are early 20th C while the blade could be earlier.
As far as a classification for kampilan, I did write a piece about 10 years ago on the old forum. Will try to find it again.
Ian.
Here is that old discussion:
Towards a classification of kampilan