Guys, I am in agreement that this piece probably originates from India. It is a most unusual piece and it reeks of age. I think it might be quite old given the all steel construction, the dark patina, the thick "ricasso" between the handle and blade and the thick construction of the crossguard and handle. Really seems to be made for heavy use. Andrew, I swear I see some wootz peeking through the patination and when you hit the blade on a table or something it vibrates like a tuning fork and it rings like a bell when flicked. Not necessarily indicitive of wootz but wootz certainly does that.
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