Thank you Detlef & Willem...
I have not etched the blade (without exception, each attempted etch I have undertaken has always produced entirely underwhelming results
), but the hairpin laminations are visibily evident even with the old etch/polish, so aside from some minimal oiling, it is my plan to leave it be.
Having only had one other older one pass thorugh my hands over the years, my exposure to comparable examples is largley limited to those I have researched here on the forum. Yet I do not recall seeing another example with the cord binding over the (top and bottom of the) shagreen...
Is this indicative of a regional variation?
I am also puzzled as to the significance of the green pigment visible on the blade-side of the base of the hilt. An auspicious addition, or purely an accidental application?
I've attached a couple additional photos, including one of the aforementioned pigmentation.