Pre Culloden English dragoon basket hilt?

[Jim McDougall]

In researching this simple basket hilt, there are a number of perplexing details which make it difficult to identify and date. As far as its character as a 'basket hilt' the simple and undecorated shields suggest it is English, but the guard is attached to the pommel through slotted entry rather than the ring usually under the pommel in English versions.

The pommel seems of the low dome type c. 1710-20s?

The blade is of the single edge, back fuller type familiar on English hangers in early to mid 18th c. Here is another perplexing detail, there is what appears to be a fluer de lis in blade center. While naturally first thoughts are that this must be a French blade.
As Prince Charlie's forces were assembling in France pre-Culloden, it is tempting to think of this being a weapon with blade from the Paris arsenal etc. However, we know that the fluer de lis was also used on English blades.

In the 1894 work on "Swords from the Battlefield at Culloden" by Lord Archibald Campbell, the fluer de lis is among markings found on some of the blades of the 190 swords recovered from the field in 1746.

In Bezdek's book on Scottish & English sword makers, there is an English basket hilt shown c.1650 with a guard system resembling the possible prototypes for the Glasgow hilts.

Is it possible this is an early English basket hilt from some of the units developed for the British army in early 18th century, and by garrison town makers following standard Scottish convention?
When exactly did the 'pommel ring' typically regarded as 'English' begin use? It seems they are characteristically regarded as mid 18th, but some basket hilts 1720s-30s have them.