The dealer I sold it to has just replied to me as follows :
''Hi ,
Yes indeed I did have a knife with a similar hilt. I think it is representative of a snake and used to be commonly found on the class of machete (narrow blade, relatively short) that is referred to as a "Plantation Knife" - strong market in Brazil for cutting sugar cane, possibly dealing with snakes, and no doubt featuring in slave rebellions! Although usually rounded points, I have come across a few with clipped points Bowie style. I think yours may have been clipped after its birth, but probably during its working life.
Sauerland sounds Kraut. Big in South America!''
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