My VL&D/Sauer does have scroll engraving. It also has a check pad. The old leather cover has some splits in it & what it appears to be is a piece of cork was inlet into the wood & then covered with the leather.
It is a possibility this was added later, but is not a lace on or anything of that nature, being let into the wood. It also has the appearance of having been there for a "looong" time.

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra