A nice clean example of this early (possibly) pre-pattern type out of the George Snook collection. “Many British officers carried a sword of this type during the fighting in North America [American Revolutionary War]. It eventually became the model for the official pattern adopted in 1796 (although later versions include raised decorations on the pommel, and often a hinged inboard “wing” for the counterguard).” George Neuman, The History of Weapons of the American Revolution, page 248. 

This style of sword gradually appeared on the scene in the early 1770’s evolving out of the smallsword style. It has been debated amongst some collectors as to whether this less ornamented version of this sword was an early example or if it is merely a sergeants version and therefore less decorated. For example, on page 26 of Harvey Withers book British Military Swords 1786 – 1912 lists this version as a 1786/96 “NCO [Non-commissioned Officer] pattern … found with plain brass hilt, blade and scabbard mounts… it is much rarer than the officer’s sword as they were normally discarded when unserviceable”. 

Two opinions on this sword with no hard evidence that I have seen to date. Hilts were often in gilt brass, plain brass or steel. I have only ever seen one in steel, located at the King’s Landing collection. Below also, is a comparison of the plain, undecorated brass hilt of this model against the decorated, gilt brass hilt of the officers version. The brass grip on this example is still firm and tight. The shell guard has a small wobble. There are no blade markings on this sword, nor are there any markings on the hilt to add to its story. It is simply a solid example of this potentially early form.