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1880s-1890s American Masonic sword features a globular cabochon pommel, symbolizing the crowning of the world, a brown leather spindle wound with a golden brass wire, an openwork hilt with asymmetric quillons and a ferrule in the shape of a crown marked with the seal of the "Militant Patriarchs": a golden crown with cabochons of precious stones, inside which is a shepherd's butt crossed with a sword, tied on the lower part of the triple links of the Odd Fellowship.
The nickel-plated iron scabbard, it is adorned with two gilt and chiseled brass bail bracelets. The first, with double rings, bears the mention "Pax aut Bellum", the second with single ring, appears the monogram "PM" referring to the initials of the "Patriarchs Militant". Blade etched in Kalamazoo, Mich under Henderson Ames Co. Blade itself was made in German.
Overall length with scabbard: 36 in.
Sword and handle: 35 in.
Handle: 7 in.
Blade: 28 in.
The Patriarchs Militant was first organized by members of the Encampment who were military men and civil war veterans and was officially adopted as a separate branch of the fraternity in 1885. During 1885, the Patriarchs Militant (PM) is Odd Fellowship’s uniformed branch. The name “Patriarchs Militant” conveys the two-fold idea of peace and soldierly valor. It is purely semi-military in its character, organized for chivalric display for local parades and honor guards and is admirably fulfilling its mission through the annual ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers’ ceremony held in Washington DC and Canada.
According to the name displayed on the blade
Is John Evans. At the age of 24 years Evans on August 13, 1862 enlisted for 3 years in the 37th Reg. Mass. Vo. Infantry, and was assigned to Company “K” Private. He participated in the following battles: Fredericksburgh and Salem Heights. After Fredericksburgh, 3 May, 1863, he was appointed Company cook and in that capacity he continued during the remainder of his term of service.
He was discharged July 2d, 1865, and returned to Chicopee
