In my research I found most with wood handles. The IMA knives are pre WWI. Many WWI knives actually have makers marks on them as in the complete company name, etc. They also may or may not have the broad arrow on them. Serial numbers may be in Nepalese script rather than English/Arabic. WWI and WWII issue seem to have a metal cap on the end. Mine does not and I cannot figure out how the wood handle is held on. It does have the metal on the blade end. I have not really cleaned the handle up at all. Figured I'd wipe it down with linseed oilicon but haven't gotten around to it yet. Horn grips are post WWII maybe? I don't know.