Antique Knights of St. Joseph Fraternal Sword and Hanger with Two Masonic Swords
Item Details
An antique Knights of St. Joseph fraternal sword, with two Masonic swords. This lot features a straight-bladed presentation sword from the Knights of St. Joseph fraternal organization, created between 1881 and 1885 by Charles Svenson of Cincinnati, Ohio; the sword consists of a brass pommel in the shape of a knight’s helmet with an eagle crest joined by a chain to the pierced and etched bowtie crossguard with ‘KStJ’ engraved to the center, framing a black leather grip with fourteen coils of twisted brass wire, and leading to a slim, double-edged blade bearing Svenson’s mark to the ricasso. The sword is encased in its original steel scabbard with brass mounts and chape etched with symbols of the Knights of St. Joseph, hanging on a brass chain with a leather hanger bearing a rectangular brass buckle bearing the phrase ‘In Hoc Signo Vinces’ (‘In His Name, We Will Conquer’) and the name of the Knights of St. Joseph. Also included are two Masonic swords, one with a brass lion’s-head pommel leading to a D-shaped knucklebow leading to an etched oval counterguard over a yellow ridged guard leading to a slightly curved blade marked ‘Fabca. de Toledo’ (‘Made in Toledo’), and the other with a similar pommel and guard over a black crosshatched grip with screw mounts leading to a straight blade marked ‘Toledo, Spain’ to the ricasso; each Masonic sword includes a steel scabbard with a single suspension ring and mount.
Condition
- tarnish to all metal elements, minor rust to blade and scabbard, and noticeable wear to hanger of St. Joseph sword; minor tarnish to metal of sword with red cross, with a sticker to the ricasso; tarnish and rust to the blade and scabbard of the other Pythian sword, with tarnish to the grip and brass hilt.
Dimensions
- measurement of sword with hanger.
Item #
18LAX073-100
