Antique Masonic Knights Templar Freemason Ceremonial Sword

Description: Antique Masonic Knights Templar Freemason Ceremonial Sword The Knights Templar, full name The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta,is a fraternal orderaffiliated with Freemasonry. Unlike the initial degrees conferred in a regular Masonic Lodge, which (in most Regular Masonic jurisdictions) only require a belief in a Supreme Beingregardless of religious affiliation,the Knights Templar is one of several additional Masonic Orderin which membership is open only to Freemasons who profess a belief inChristianity.One of the obligations entrants to the order are required to declare is to protect and defend the Christian faith Arising from the Knights Templar military order of the Crusades, Masonic societies often maintain a connection to their history with ceremonial swords worn and used during their rituals and rites. These decorative blades often display ornate appearances with various freemason icons. As an example, the Masonic Letter 'G' is a letter that representsGod and Geometry. It is a reminder to every Freemason that every act they carry out is done in the presence of God, the Master Architect of the Universe. This sword was owned by Charles F. Schmidt (1859-1929), a prominent member of the business community (one of the founders of the Elgin Butter Tub Company, the world's largest producer of butter tubs - Pics included Charles, the Schmidt men that started the Elgin Butter Tub Co, and the Elgin Butter Tub Co bldg.) and Catholic community in Elgin, IL. Assuming this sword was purchased when he was pinned as a new member of the Knights Templar, it would be dated to 1903 (The manufacturing markings show that it had to have been built sometime between 1893 and 1923. The sword shows some patina on the chrome, but the blade has no visible nicks. Please examine the pictures thoroughly, as they are a very fair representation of the sword's condition (though pictures of blade are cut and pasted together to provide clearer display of each section of the blade). Pommel:Regardless of manufacturer, the pommel almost always depicts a knights head. This does not distinguish the sword as uniquely Templar as other fraternal swords such as the Knights of Pythias depict a knights head as well. Grip:The grip on a Templar sword is sometimes black and sometimes ivory. Quite often it will depict the cross and crown emblem of the order as shown in the diagram to the left. Some swords will display a stylized Christian cross while others a triangle and cross. Frequently Templar swords are engraved with the owners initials on the grip. Blade:The blade of the Templar sword is particularly ornate and will often depict scenes and lily work. Virtually every Templar sword made in the last century and a half will carry the engraved name of its owner. Sheath:A nickel plated sheath indicates the sword belonged to a Sir Knight, while a gold plated one is that of a Preceptor (Canada) or Commander (United States). Like the blade these sheaths are veryornateand the markings will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. History Of American Sword Manufacturers Frank Henderson, a prominent citizen in Kalamazoo Michigan and whose home, the Henderson Royce Castle is a prominent site to this day, began selling and manufacturing swords and regalia in 1850. He remained in the business for nearly a half century until his death in 1899. The company he began would remain active until it was dissolved in 1923. Initially Henderson sold swords under his own name Frank Henderson and would continue todo so until he formed a partnership with Theron F Giddings in 1871. The new company, Henderson and Giddings Co. was ashort livedventure and in 1873, Henderson resumed trade as Frank Henderson. From this time Henderson began an association with the Ames Sword Company and as an agent distributed their line of fraternal swords and regalia. This relationship continued for two decades at which time, in 1893, he consolidated his affairs with Ames and formed the Henderson Ames Company. Henderson bought out the E. A. Armstrong Regalia Factory, including all machinery and inventories a year later. After Hendersons death in 1899 the companycontinued onfor the next twenty-four years when it was purchased and dissolved by The M. C. Lilley and Company. The M. C. Lilley and Company purchased the Ames Sword Company in 1925 and in the same year change their name to The Lilley Company. The newly acquired equipment was moved from Chicopee MA, to Columbus Ohio. In1931 they became the Lilley-Ames Companycontinued onfor another two decades but due to a lack of diversity in their product line began to fail. C. E. Ward bought them out in 1951 and at this time began to manufacture badges. Chronology Of Major American Sword Manufacturers With the chronological listbelowyou should be able to get a rough date as to when your sword was made. Forexampleif your sword carries the markings of Henderson Ames, then it was manufactured sometime between 1893 and 1929. 1850 1871 Frank Henderson 1871 1873 Henderson and Giddings 1873 1893 Frank Henderson 1893 1923 Henderson Ames (Henderson Died In 1899) 1923 1925 The M. C. Lilley and Company 1925 1931 The Lilley Company 1931 1951 Lilley-Ames Company 1951 1953 Lilley-AmesCompany

Price: 199.95 USD

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

End Time: 2024-09-24T23:13:45.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD