US Masonic Sword, Knights Templar Order, by Pettibone of Cincinnnati

This sword was made by The Pettibone Brothers Manufacturing Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, which made military and society goods from its founding in 1872 and was most active between 1880 and 1920. It comes with a brown leather carrying case by the same manufacturer, the stitching of which has come partly undone but which is otherwise intact.

The name ‘Roy E Smith’ is marked on both the sword and its case. The case is further marked ‘Markesan, WIS’. This refers to the town of Markesan, Wisconsin, which would appear to be where Mr Smith lived. The sword is likely to be related to a Knights Templar order, given that it is profusely decorated with images of knights bearing the sign of the cross including a battle scene outside Jerusalem between knights and turbaned Saracens. The etching also includes Maltese crosses, stands of arms, a Memento Mori motto with skull and crossbones, crown-and-crucifix motifs, the Masonic square & compasses and foliate patterns.

The blade and scabbard are in excellent condition, with the extensive etched decoration to the blade in particular bright and clear throughout.