A friend suggested to me that the end of the hilt on this was probably covered by a decorative cap originally. Now after looking at most if not all of the panabas pictures posted on this forum as well as every one I could find on the net I tend to agree. It does looks as though the ones of these that were covered or mostly covered by decorative or even plain panels and bands had a good possibility of the end of the hilt being be capped as well. Below is a picture of the hilt of a panabas that was originally posted by CharlesS (I hope you don't mind) that shows this, while having the same amount of bands (though these are silver where mine are brass) securing the blade to the haft, as well has having decorative panels that look to be very close if not identical to the ones used on mine. Comments on this as well as any other information you can offer would be greatly appreciated. My thanks to those who have commented so far.
Robert
P.S.
I have added a picture of this new panabas with his brother who has been living with my wife and I for a few months now.
