Very interesting piece! It also struck me that it could conceivably be naval. The style of pommel and hilt shape remind me of naval French swords and of course, the dirk being a common side-arm. The grip 'badge' was seen on both naval and infantry-type swords. I like Rick's idea that it could have been used to puncture the powder bag (this was done with cannon and swivel guns, I recall). Likewise, as a 19th c. piece in this style, a naval piece seems to fit (meaning that they had a tendency to hang onto items and styles after they had passed, such as pikes and cutlass into the early 20th c.)
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