Fraternal and Society swords are an interesting field of study and collecting both in terms of social history and the artistry involved by the various sword makers, most of whom were also involved in the production of military swords as well. This is one produced for the “Knights of the Golden Eagle,” formed in Baltimore in 1872 as a mutual-aid society to help members find employment or help those unemployed or their widows and orphans. Members were organized into “castles” and state-wide “grand castles,” and worked their way up from Pilgrim to Knight, to Crusader. They were active in several states, but became concentrated in Pennsylvania with the “Supreme Castle” in Philadelphia in the early 1920s. The group seems to have dissolved by the late 1970s.

The scabbard and hilt are gilt brass with a mellow, age patina. The pommel features an eagle with raised wings from whose beak a chain knuckleguard extends down to the flaring crossguard, which is cast with a branch of oak leaves and acorns. The grip shows very little wear, and is black with a slight purple cast. (Purple is mentioned in the Ames catalog as a grip color for KGE swords.) The langets have two panels. On both sides the upper panel shows a spread-winged eagle. The obverse lower panel shows a knight kneeling to receive a scroll from an angel and the reverse shows a mounted knight.

The blade is straight, double-edged, and diamond shaped in cross-section, with very good frosting and visible etched motifs. Both sides feature extended leafy branches. The reverse has an owner’s name in a cartouche. The obverse has a very nice upright eagle. The scabbard has a cast and chased drag. The two rings at top and one in the middle are mounted directly on the scabbard. The scabbard obverse is engraved with floral, geometric and masonic motifs, but no “KGE” monogram.  [sr] [ph:jet]

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