Hi Gene,
I must confess that the overall shape looks South American and if it is silver.... But the only Argentinean typology that it approximates is what they call a Puņal Salteņo, Salta being a mountainous province quite different from the Pampa plains where mainstream Gaucho culture prevailed. These were shorter than those used in the flatlands and generally of rough manufacture, though notable exceptions exist.
One feature of yours which is strongly at odds with classical era Argentinean sheaths is the inch wide loop on the scabbard for the belt to pass through; The local preference for carriage being the insertion of the knife and sheath between the belt and the small of the back, with a tang that engages with the said belt and allows the tucking and withdrawal of the sheath and knife without having to undo the belt.
I am not familiar with the decorative pattern on the scabbard and other contributors to this forum may be able to better identify its origins. Something to keep in mind that large numbers of migrants swelled the population of Argentina from the second half of the 19th century onwards, many coming from the Middle East, so it is entirely possible, as Dom suggested, that it was made to the order of, or by, an immigrant from that part of the world.
For reference look at page 95 of Doemench's Dagas de Plata. Unfortunately my scanner is down at the moment, so I cannot help with examples of the genre.
Cheers
Chris
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