Ohhh, very interesting! I don't think it is 17th century as the scabbard looks fairly modern, but then again it may just be a recent addition. The hilt certainly looks and feels very old, but the blade itself does not.
Along the blade there is a fuller, which I am assuming has almost dissipeared due to a strong polish over the years.
In regards to the blade having re-inforcing plates, this may had been as if you can see on the pictures just above the guard there is a hole in the blade. Perhaps this was used for attaching these plates?
On monday if the weather is good, I plan to give the blade an acid wash to see if it is indeed wootz steel.
Anyways many thanks to Rick and Ariel, you have been of great help and I will post pictures of my acid wash results.
Regards,
Will
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