Shi sword for comment

[Martin Lubojacky]

I am enclossing a few pictures of the sword I have acquired recently. I think it is not long, not short - the total length (in the sheath) is 78 cms, length of the blade is 59 cms. Interesting is that the blade is relatively wide - it is 4 cms wide at the base (I thought Shi swords were narrower). Thickness of the blade is 1.2 - 1.3 cm at the central rib. It is heavy and it could be used as a machete (again surprising for me).
The sheath is two-coloured and I would like to know, if this has any implication, or if the reason is purely aesthetical (till now I saw only one colour Shi sheaths).
Fur was wrapped around the sheath at its end and at its mouth. I removed it temporarily to check the state of the wood, but, very probably, I will not put it back, since the state of the fur is bad (it is losing hair). Does the fur has any deeper sence, or is it just decoration ? Any comment is warm welcome.
Regards,
Martin