PANDAY!!! So you're the one that beat me out of this!! (along with others
). Yes, I had been comparing this to the Cato example and I came to the conclusion this was the same puppy.
Also on the scabbard debate, I agree with Mabagani, and add another possiblility. Early on many American collectors threw away scabbards.
Not must PI/Moro, but US Civil War and other historic pieces as well.
Thus, for example, it is so much more valuable to have a scabbard on a US Civil War foot officer's or staff officer's sword.