A fascinating example, and indeed cut steel type maxime, probably English and 1790s. It was the sunset of the small sword, but its influences held in the hilt stylings in numbers of military swords in artistic sense as favored by fashion conscious officers.
As usual, the chain guard is missing, and very attractive etching in the blade, which is as noted 'colichemarde' (the widened upper portion of blade, said to be for parrying). While these were in use from mid 17th century into early 18th, they were regarded as 'out of fashion', at least in most civilian examples.
However, military officers always held to tradition, and these blades were well known on officers small swords well through the 18th c.
The 'cut steel' (some of these almost look 'steam punk') hilts were made popular in England mostly around London and Birmingham, and industrial revolution figures like Boulton were heavily involved in designs (Aylward, 1945).
This probably belonged to a British officer, perhaps with fraternal associations which might be identified with closer look at the motif and circled inscription.
**** Urban, we crossed posts!!! The hilt looks like the 1790s-1800 period hilts made as noted, but I am inclined to agree this is a way earlier, probably heirloom blade, and the motif may well go back into very early period, possibly into 17th c. and the blades we know so well !!!!
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