Hello Robert,
great work you have done so far on this little fellow. To glue the hilt without removing the rattan braiding was for sure a challenge, congrats!
I also think that it is a 19th century piece, maybe mid 19th century. It's also for me the first one I've seen without silver band at the waist of the handle. And like you I think that the small size could be a hint that it is a very early piece while the missing silver could just be hint of the lower status of the former owner.
But the form of the wooden hilt could be again a sign of the great age of this piece. Just my thoughts.
Best regards,
Detlef