Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Sword Letter Opener and Scabbard with Masonic Knights Templar Symbols
1880-1920 (likely)
Maker not marked
USA (likely)
Metal, enamel
a: 9-1/2"h x 1-7/8"w x 1/4"d; b: 7-5/8"h x 1"w x 1/4"d
Gift of Linda and George Smith in Honor of John W. Blake, 33°
2017.042.2a-b

Sword Letter Opener and Scabbard with Masonic Knights Templar Symbols. a: OBVERSE: Silver and gold-colored metal sword with black enamel-coated grip. Pommel is gold-colored metal (possibly gold plate) in shape of knight's helmet. Grip of smooth black enamel has rounded shape to sides; at center, silver metal passion cross runs lengthwise along it. Rainguard of applied cast gold-colored metal ovaloid lozenge: it has black enamel infill around border with the text, "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" in gold; within border, gold-colored metal center has raised crown and red enamel-infilled passion cross within and radiating rays behind. Crossguard pieces are of flared, openwork cast gold-colored metal extending 5/8" from sides. Flush against crossguard at top of blade is a small metal oval surround coated with red enamel. Blade is of silver and features (from crossguard to point) an etched crown with a cross through it, a length of floral-like design, a knight holding a flag, and another floral section; 2-1/2" length of blade at point end is shiny. a: REVERSE: Same as obverse except for the following: no silver cross on grip, and no lozenge at rainguard, but rather a cast metal design, continuous with metal of crossguard, of a floral-like Templar cross. b: OBVERSE: Silver scabbard features small rounded lip at top, and cast gold-colored metal decorative piece applied to locket which has a passion cross infilled with red enamel at center and raised scrollwork at top and bottom. Flanking this on either side of scabbard are two round eyelets with o-rings through them, all in gold-colored metal. At mid-point of scabbard, a similar applied, cast gold-colored decorative metal piece features raised central design of stylized, overlapping "K" and "T" and a round gold eyelet with o-ring on PL side. At chape, cast gold metal decorative tip piece features raised images of ax, knight's helmet, and shield with Templar cross in it, with rounded tip decorated with scrollwork. b: REVERSE: Plain bands of gold-colored metal securing decorative front panels at locket and mid-point; at chape, same design to decorative panel as on obverse.