You might be right. But the blade on mine had been cleaned ( see area bu the handle). Your handle  does show age, and mine does not. But as I said, the handle on mine ( especially the rattan) looks new-ish: organic parts tend to rot and  be replaced. 
 
I have read the same info about the source of blades as mentioned by David ( was it in Rawson?). I have never thought about the laminations being  used for dating, but it sounds interesting and intriguing.
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
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