thank you and yes i think someone actually cut the hand guard off because it is pretty clean cut i got this one with a british pattern 1853 sword which i have already sold this is also the same place i picked up a pair of antique indian moccasins for $1 also sold those for $420 so this sword owes me nothing but would like info about it if possible. what do you think the handle is made of? it looks like bone but not sure.