Vintage Silver Handled ‘Meercat’ Letter Opener

This lovely, vintage, South African made letter opener, with a meercat handle is possibly made of sterling silver with a white metal blade. It is stamped on the back with various marks, ‘AFRISILV’ with a ‘Springbok’ head and a few others that aren’t clear. The handle appears to originally, have had a thin ‘lacquer’ coating to prevent it from tarnishing otherwise it’s in great condition. It measures 20,5cm x 2cm at its widest and weighs 43,3g.