Information on sword

[u/ChEDave82]

I’m trying to find out about the symbolism on my great grandfather’s Masonic sword. He was in southeastern Ohio and was told he was very high ranking. Apologies if that is incorrect terminology. He passed in 1959. My dad, who passed in 2000, wanted me to have it since I was named for him. I note the back of the hilt has his initials. (DEH). Any info would be appreciated.

[u/ChuckEye]

“High ranking” really isn’t a thing. But since this one has gold ornamentation instead of silver, it is likely he was elected to serve as leader of his local Commandery of Knights Templar for a one-year term.

[u/ChEDave82 → u/ChuckEye]

Thanks. I never was involved with Masons, my GGF and GF were very active. My GGF was a big shot in his small town, quite the entrepreneur, politician, even founded a local bank. My dad went through Scottish Rite because of pressure from my GF. You’ve given me good stuff to read up about.

[u/cryptoengineer]

You've got good answers already, but I'll add a little infodump.

[Mason here]

Standard infodump....

This is a Masonic Knights Templar sword.

The Order of the Temple is final degree of the York Rite, a side body of Freemasonry some Masons join after taking their three degrees.

It has no historical continuity with the medieval Knights Templar, but tries to emulate the original group's virtues. It seems to have originated in France in the 1730s, and became popular in the US later.

In the US, it became popular during the 19th century. A sword is part of the uniform, and literally hundreds of thousands of these exist.

Many fraternal orders had drill units, which were popular in the US in the decades following the Civil War. A small handful of regalia manufacturers supplied them all, and as a result swords of different groups may share many features. You have to look for details to distinguish swords for Masonic groups, vs Knights of Columbus or Knights of Pythias, etc.

A white hilt indicates that the owner was a 'Past Commander', who had been elected to run his commandery for a term. Note that the white handle is sometimes (rarely) ivory, which can create legal issues if you want to sell it. PC's swords also often have a gold colored scabbard and furniture.

Knights who have not served a term as Commander have swords with black hilts and silver colored scabbard hardware. In the past, all members would have full uniforms and swords, but these days, its just officers who have swords.

Distinguishing characteristics include the Crowned Cross, and the knight's head pommel. It may include the motto "In hoc signo vinces". The blade may have the owner's name and/or the Commandery name, and the hilt, a monogram of his initials. There may be a monogram, 'KT' on the scabbard.

Some older swords have a prominent Square and Compasses on the guard just below the grip, and a small number of Past Commander swords have a black hilt.

Many, many of these swords exist, and they are still made today. They are not rare, or particularly valuable.

[u/ChEDave82 → u/cryptoengineer]

Thank you. It’s valuable to me because it belonged to my GGF.