Just to show the Germanic hilts and their earlier patterns to the French m1767, here is a sword with similar grip from Dmitri's page (Sailor in Saddle).
The second pic is also from Dmitri's page, showing a French marine sword with the acutely angled knuckle bow I mentioned. I think the capstan and style helps date this piece to mid/late 18th.
The last pic is the m1767 French grenadiere sword, as used by infantry and popular with sailors of the period.
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