Hello Alan,
The example of so called 'five ball' or 'beaded' hilt was indeed, as Wolviex has shown and noted, a military hilt form used by both British and French as well as Poland and possibly a number of other European countries, and the period noted of latter 18th century is correct. It appears that this distinct motif using the five ball pattern originated in England c.1780, and was used on the straight bladed 'spadroon' sabres for officers. The French seem to have adopted the motif shortly thereafter, and the style was also carried into the United States, where it was used on military sabres as well. The style seems to have diminished overall by about 1810-20.
Your example is most interesting as the trilobate pommel, as noted of karabela form, is completely uncharacteristic of British, French or American swords of this type. While the karabela type pommel is of course well known in this distinct sword that is an established national form in Poland, the pommel shape is key to a number of Islamic swords.
Arabian pallasches carry this exact trilobate shape in examples of the 18th century in thier hilts, which were typically of repousse silver.
I would suggest this sword was quite possibly made specifically for a British officer, and plausibly in the Gulf of Aden region , or influenced by Arabian swords with similar hilts that seem to have come from Yemen, specifically Hadramaut. The Gulf of Aden was a British protectorate c.1800 and much as in India, there were outfitters there who catered to British officers.
The crosshatched ivory grips resemble those often seen on the ebony grips of French Napoleonic period swords, and there seems to have been considerable cross influence between British and French weapons just after the Egyptian campaigns, most significantly the 'mamluk' sabres.
The browned patination of your example seems consistant with other examples I have handled of latter 18th century.
A very nice example of what appears a British officers sword of c.1800 reflecting possibly Arabian influence. It is interesting to note however the Polish associations of the karabela as well, and the presence of the five ball hilt in some of thier swords. Despite that, I still sense this is a British sword.
Best regards,
Jim
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