Agree completely with battara on the okir.
As far as the type of metal on the hilt, white brass usually polishes easily (much the same as yellow brass)—one form of white brass was referred to as "German silver." From the residual white deposit on the hilt, however, I'm inclined to think this might be an alloy with some zinc or even tin in it. The metal on the scabbard seems different, and judging from the pictures it has polished more like white brass.
As far as a date of manufacture, I'd say 20th C but pre-WWII. Probably 1930s or a little earlier. The overall quality is good and better than much of what came later. Congratulations on finding such a nice piece in California.
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