Thank goodness for you Cathey! While clearly the ignorance of 'authorities' and the totalitarian governments is abominable, I am keenly interested in this hilt.
It seems most likely one off of course and in line with the M1803 flank officers lionheads in theme, but with naval associated elements, so the period would be in accord. It would take a lot of research to find similar elements in a hilt similar but I think we can be fairly certain of a commission by a naval officer.
You have a formidable library so if your resources do not have anything similar, the only likely hope would be the huge corpus of auction catalogs.
Wonderful sword!
Best
Jim
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