Especially nice example Rand! This is indeed the pattern 1822 (known as the 'gothic hilt' ) with the cartouche enclosing Queen Victoria's royal cypher with the added 'I' for India. She was proclaimed Empress of India May 1,1876 so this hilt post dates that event, and was used until 1890's (the pattern 1895 supplanted this form hilt).
If we could get a close up of the six point star surrounding the brass proof disc we might get an idea of the outfitter, or if there are markings in the etched motif.
Weapons from the British Raj are extremely desirable, representing this colorful military heritage in India, and these officers swords with the VRI cartouche have always seemed rather rare in coming up for sale.
All the best,
Jim
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