Absolutely my pleasure Rick, and my opportunity to learn more on the conundrum of the smallsword. It is notably difficult to distinguish these intriguing yet under researched and commonly misunderstood swords as to nationality, as the style once developed, diffused thoroughly through Europe. That of course carried into the colonial regions of those nations.
As often the case, the blade is indeed much older than the hilt on this example. and this is not only due to the fact that swords often were rehilted through the years and of course generations. Heirloom blades obviously ended up being rehilted more to the favor or circumstances of the new owner of the 'blade'.
In the Spanish colonies these blades were brought in along with regular commerce for over a century, and the narrow rapier blades remained in favor as these remained in favor there much longer than in Europe, that is the famed cup hilt. As a result, there was a huge volume of these and other German made blades remaining in stores and circulation literally for generations.
The smallsword (as in this example) was a type of hilt which had consistent assembly of elements which is regarded as a FRENCH style, and a style of fencing with it that was different than the Spanish and Italian forms.
With these blades, J. Aylward "The Smallsword in England" (1945, p.34) addresses the German make of these blades:
"...German manufacturers held for many years an unchallenged monopoly of the trade in fine sword blades, and they did an ever increasing business not only with France and England, but more surprisingly with Spain and Italy, possibly because Solingen was quite ready to make any type of blade, and was perfectly indifferent whether it was to be stamped, IHN SALINGEN or EN TOLEDO, in the latter case with the name of some Spanish master addedd".
Op.cit. p.34;
"...it may seem strange that Toledo, renowned to this day for fine blades and such masters as Alonzo de Sahagun and TOMAS DE AIALA-incidentally both favorites with German manufacturers- was NOT an active competitor in the European market of the time. "
The dominance of the Solingen blade making machine lasted through centuries, and its scope is far beyond this discussion, but they indeed continued making blades for Spain, even up to the nominal reopening of Toledo factory in late 1760s.
IMO, this hilt is likely French or of French style and of latter 18th century due to the boat style guard (rather than bilobate) and vestigial pas d' ane. (the opposed loops just above the cross quillon). These loops were for the insertion of forefinger in grip, but here obviously non functional in that purpose.
The hilt recalls examples I have seen which were from War of 1812 period and with provenance to New Orleans, hence may have been either French or Spanish.
I hope some of the readers might enter their views toward this most interesting example. Since seeing it I know I have been compelled to research more on these swords, and it would be great to hear from those who have more experience in these areas.
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