Rare ? unusual ? less common? ......whatever the outcome....I really like the hilt..
...the zooamorphic 'pommel' is interesting...do you know what it represents. The 'square' jaw and large eyes puts me off the idea it is a Serpent's head.
However, the (metal ?) wavy piece ( not very scientific
) on the guard certainly 'shouts' snake and I'm sure there is significance to the number of 'curves'.