Beautiful Masons\' sword, York Rite Knights Templar, ornate, skull-bones, emblems
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Beautiful Masons\' sword, York Rite Knights Templar, ornate, skull-bones, emblems:
$285.00
Dear watchers: A close offer should get this nice sword. I have a local buyer at $250. We have offered to pay the UPS store packing fee (staff estimated that is $30).
. . . If there are no offers and I have to re-list it, please note I will be away Feb 16-20 and unable to ship during those dates.
Note to U.S. buyers: Please wait for invoice because UPS shipping fee will be based on your zip code. Seller will pay for professional wrapping.
York Rite Knights Templar sword
Many Knights Templar swords of this kind were made from 1880 to 1920, although this one could have been made a little later. There is no visible date marked on it. As one might expect for something this old, it does show some signs of age and wear, but is in otherwise good condition.
It would be perfect for a sword collector or a York Rite Freemason seeking to look especially sharp and authentic at Commandery meetings in his lodge.
What makes this sword exceptional is the figures on the scabbard of the two Templar knights appearing ready to draw their weapons.
The blade is inscribed with the maker’s mark by the Ihling Bros Everard Co of Kalamazoo, Mich.
Ihling Brothers Everard Company, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is one of the oldest Masonic and fraternal regalia manufacturers in the United States. The company, founded in 1869, produced blank books for record keeping for governments and private companies and organizations. It later produced regalia and uniforms for fraternal organizations, bands, college fraternities, law enforcement and others. Its most impressive department was the Commandery supplies, which included swords and scabbards which some consider almost works of art.
About the sword
Sword alone is approx. 38 inches
Scabbard alone is 31 1/2 inches
Pen is included in photo 2 for scale only.
The steel blade is etched with the owner’s name, Harry E. Hunt (Photo 7), and features Knights Templar designs throughout. It has a sharp tip.
The blade features an engraving of a knight holding a Flag with a Christian cross on the front. The rear features a scene of two knights jousting on horseback against a background of tents and a pavilion. (Photo 10 is taken with flash in attempt to show detail.)
The hilt is especially impressive and includes an intact chain from the top, linking it to the lower part of the crossguard. The crossguard features two symbolic red triangles inlaid with 12 spheres.
The grip has the owner’s monogram, a wreath and the traditional Christian cross through a crown at the front. It features the skull and cross bones within a Maltese cross on the rear.
The scabbard also features a Maltese cross, the rose croix (in red), surrounded by the raised metal words of the motto, in hoc signo vinces, and the unusual element of the raised three-dimensional figures of the two Templar knights ready to draw their swords.
The scabbard has three rings to attach to a belt (belt not included in sale). These rings show signs of discoloration.
About the Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon (Latin name: Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Salomonici), commonly known as the Knights Templar, were among the wealthiest and most powerful of the Christian military orders and were prominent in Christian finance. The organization existed for nearly two centuries in the Middle Ages.
Rumors about the Templars’ secret initiation ceremonies created distrust. The Templars were closely tied with the Crusades, but when the Christians’ dominance of the Holy Land diminished, support for the order faded.
King Philip IV of France — deeply in debt to the order — took advantage of the situation to gain control over them.
In 1307, he had many of the order’s leaders arrested, tortured into giving false confessions and burned at the stake. Pope Clement V disbanded the order in 1312 under pressure from King Philip. The Templars’ grand master, Jaques de Molay, was burned at the stake for heresy, having been arrested Oct. 13, 1307, the event that led to Friday 13th being considered unlucky.
Legend has it that the Templars are directly connected to the Freemasons and this has been stoked by semi-historical books and novels, including works by many reputable scholars. Although no definitive proof can be offered, the Templar concepts of chivalry and brotherly love are maintained by the fraternity. In the U.S., the Templar tradition is maintained and preserved through York Rite.
About York Rite
The York Rite or American Rite is one of several elements of Freemasonry. A rite is a series of progressive degrees which are conferred by various Masonic organizations or bodies.
The York Rite is a collection of three Masonic bodies and associated degrees that would otherwise operate independently.
Its motto is hoc signo vinces, a Latin phrase meaning “in this sign you will conquer.” This is often rendered in early modern English as “in this sign thou shalt conquer.”
Members of Masonic organizations must profess a belief in a supreme being, but because the entire Craft emphasizes the brotherhood of man, it is not specified which religion a man must adhere to. This means Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and others can meet together in harmony “on the level.” Such collaborations are noted and celebrated in Masonic literature, for example in the poetry of Rudyard Kipling.
The exception is the Commandery of the Knights Templar, which is open only to Christians.
The three primary bodies of York Rite are:
• Chapter of Royal Arch Masons;
• Council of Royal and Select Masters or Council of Cryptic Masons;
• Commandery of Knights Templar.
Each of these is governed independently, but are all considered to be a part of the York Rite. The sword features in the uniform of the Commandery.
• • • • • Seller’s note: This sword is being sold on behalf of a rural West Coast U.S. Masonic lodge and the proceeds of the sale will go toward the upkeep and operation of the lodge.
Descriptions are offered in good faith based on some superficial historical research about the item.
Shipping: UPS Ground with professional padded protective wrapping and insurance. Please wait for invoice. Shipping cost will be based on your location in the U.S.
Beautiful Masons\' sword, York Rite Knights Templar, ornate, skull-bones, emblems:
$285.00