Hello Cathy and bless you for saving this beautiful sword from the scrap-heap! I wish I had access to their 'trash' list!
Prior to the 19th century, naval powers of the world had no specific patterns or models of standard armament. Naval officers had free reign to carry whatever they saw fit, some choosing existing patterns of other military branches (such as infantry hangers, etc), while others of higher means often chose to either design their own swords or pick from patterns created by swordsmiths/merchants. In other words, your sword was made for a very wealthy officer of the highest rank and it is quite possible this sword design is either unique or very rare, coming from a small line of custom swords. If you take a look at the color plates in Gilkerson's "Boarders Away:With Steel", you will see a French example dating to the 1790's with an incredibly elaborate basket including 'nautical' items, cannons, anchors, etc. Maritime decorations, even on the more simple hangers, was a tip of the hat that they were naval and would thus appeal to any officer. These custom designs had no limit (see also Annis' "Naval Swords", plate 52 of an officer's sword shaped like a Nile crocodile, a fashionable item made shortly after Nelson's battle at the Nile). Yours is a true fighter and not some presentation piece. Again, congrats on a magnificent piece that could be one-of-a-kind!
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