This sword looks like a 18th or 19th century hunting dagger (German: Hirschfänger, or deer catcher). The longer hunting epee or hunting sword was used from the horseback, the hunting dagger was designed for foot hunters.
In this period they only had single shot black powder guns, so it was important to have a long edged weapon for emergency cases.
The other reason is that it was a sign for bravery for the nobility to hunt a deer or boar by edged weapons.
The crossguard has been simply broken or cut off as you said.
Roland
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