Interesting smallsword for comment

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Dmitry

Jim, this is not a sword guard; it looks like an ornamental element from, say, an armoire, or a chair, or a door.
In other words, imho, this is a made-up piece.

I agree with Dimitry. I would maybe hazard a guess for a guard from a better-than-average foil or duelling sword of French style. The blade would be from a duelling sword, and the rest of the hilt from a 18th c. smallsword, indeed.