G'day Ulrik,
To add to what Jim has posted, most of these stirrup-hilted lion head swords predate the 1803 pattern infantry officer sword. I have one with a horn grip which is dated 1799. Ivory gripped examples like yours were favoured by militia and volunteer regiment officers whose swords tended to be a little fancier than their regular army cousins.
Below is a photo of Thomas Gill's full warranted spiel on a 1796 light cavalry officer's sabre.
Cheers,
Bryce
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