19thc Chinese naval dao - cutlass ??

[Maj-Biffy Snodgrass]

Hello all, this is my first post here so please BEAR WITH me as I may have made a few mistakes.

I picked up this old dao here some time ago in Uk, scabbard is a bit scruffy but eventually I will get around to restoring it, other than that the old dao which I suspect is likely south China mid to late 19thc is looking good after a clean up compared to how it was when purchased in a rough old state.
The hilt mounts are iron, something as yet I have not seen the on daos of the same seafaring ?? cutlass style sword before, most seem to have brass or bronze alloy hilts, this one is certainly well made.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Snody