Marc, the longitudinal fuller runs under the "forte." This suggests to me that part of the repair consisted of a carefully fitted sleeve over the original forte and adjacent blade, then riveted in place. I suspect if you were to remove the existing guard (not suggesting you do) and examine the upper end of this "forte"/sleeve, it may also be similarly riveted to the blade underneath. Under the present "forte" there could be a scarf weld to the original blade, made more stable by the sleeve bridging the two sections.
If you wiggle the blade, is there any play in it in the area of the "forte?" An underlying weld done well should result in no play there.
Nice looking sword and scabbard.
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