Unusual brass hilt on S. American knife

[Ian]

A recent inexpensive curiosity for which I am waiting delivery.

I think this is probably a 19th C blade and sheath, with an updated cast brass hilt with stirrup guard and langets. The blade has a spear point and a fuller running most of its length. Any marks on the blade are hidden under the langets. The langets show a helmeted warrior on the obverse side and crossed anchors on the reverse side. The sheath has silver and gilt adornments at the throat and toe.

The brass hilt seems misplaced on this large "gaucho knife." This may be an assemblage, and there is no certainty that the hilt and sheath are original to the blade, although the sheath appears to accommodate the blade well. It is possible that this is a naval knife, but the sheath is out of place for a military weapon.

Blade length = 17.5"
OAL = 22.2"

Your thoughts and opinions are most welcome.
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[Ian]

Some research on the images on the langets. I found the same images on the langets of an Argentine Naval cadet's dirk from the second half of the 20th C. See here. The site has the following description:

This example comes from the Republic of Argentina, and is from the second half of the 20th century. It features a 14 3/4" round pointed blade, and has an attractive eagles head pommel, with a white celluloid grip. The crossguard has two decorated langets, one with the crossed anchors for the navy, and the other with an image of a women who personifies "Liberty" wearing a "Phrygian Cap", a symbol of freedom used in the Argentine coat of arms. The fittings look to be brass, with a nickel flash coat under the final gilded finish, which is worn in many places. The scabbard is brass fit steel, and has two hanger rings, attached to brass fittings.

The hilt, blade and scabbard, however, are otherwise very different from my knife. The naval dirk and images are shown below. It seems there is an Argentine connection, which would fit with the scabbard.
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