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Redcoat Surgeon
04-09-2011, 11:32 PM
I have had tucked away a sword that appears to be militia. I am not sure if it is Civil War Era, but it does resemble those that I have seen. The sword has a knight's head on top of it. On the reverse of the scabbard below the throat it's stamped "18" and below it is a "1", the troat itself is stamped a "5". There appears to be no markers mark on the blade and the there appears to be traces of gilt on the brass. The handle is painted black with wire wrap. The scabbard has a shield on it with a lamb and lion; their is a motto, "PAX AUT Bellum". Midway down the scabbard is a decorative "PM". Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
John Ferrannini
Asst. Surgeon
Co. K, 67th NY
TB1861
04-10-2011, 01:03 AM
Hard to say for sure without a photo or two to go by but from the description I would take a guess and say it is Odd Fellows. The "PM" could be and I am further out on a limb here, Patriarchs Militant which would date it to some time after 1880.
Redcoat Surgeon
04-10-2011, 08:41 AM
Here are some photos of the sword. I found a Pennsylvania Militia shacko with the same style of "MP" on it.

John7747

7748

7749

7750
TB1861
04-10-2011, 10:03 AM
http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=156&pictureid=1221The image should be self explanatory but if not then let me try to explain. The cross guard needs to be pictured, clearly, in focus and large enough to see. The other fancy bit on the scabbard needs to be in focus as well. The three rings in the design are a clue to this being Odd Fellows.
Ross L. Lamoreaux
04-10-2011, 10:21 AM
It also bears a strong resemblance to a Knights of Pythias sword in my museum's collections, including the double ring in the scabbard. Many, many fraternal orders popped or reserged after the war, and their swords and regalia were often made by the same manufacturers. The knight's head is identical to several different orders like Knights of Columbus, Knights of Pythias, and even some Masonic swords I've seen. The key in in the inscriptions and embellishments.
TB1861
04-10-2011, 10:38 AM
The key in in the inscriptions and embellishments. Like the three rings and the motto "PAX AUT Bellum" and the "PM". The cross guard will tell us more but I am sure it is what I said.
Ross L. Lamoreaux
04-10-2011, 10:47 AM
Yep Tom, right you are. The one thing for certain is that its a fraternal sword and not a militia sword.
Redcoat Surgeon
04-10-2011, 05:12 PM
Tom,
You are right it is an Odd Fellows sword. I just went to their website and looked at their logo which is three interwoven rings. This is on the sword.

Thanks for your help,
John