You bet Murph! glad to have you here!!
I finally excavated my 'Neumann' (its hell in an RV trying to find stuff!) and it seems these blades with this blockish fuller starting at the blade root were a popular style made in Germany (Solingen of course) from c. 1760-80.
While German made these still made it into French hangers of this period, and as noted, the convention of decoration, including lattice etc. was popularly used in Nantes by the cutlers there. With the French style hangers (cuttoes) the hilts were often, if not even typically, silvered and the grips were seldom stag horn but typically ivory, ebony.
Naturally there were exceptions, but then the hilt guard had the short quillons, often alternating and blockish center. This is quite simple in hilt, and the blade on yours a bit shorter than the more typical 20-22".
It would seem this is a hanger blade of this period remounted in a British hilt (may well have been colonial) quite possibly in the Revolution period with the staghorn grip. With the more personalized motif on the blade inclined toward Nantes work this seems to be a French sword repurposed in accord perhaps in the colonies.
Do you collect in these areas? Very interesting field and hoping to see more! Very glad you're here!
Best regards
Jim
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