Sword Collector Information Page

Swords marked with LILLEY were made from 1865 to 1953 (Some swords may have been manufactured before 1865). The list at the bottom of this page shows each type of blade markings and the years they were manufactured. Most of the swords manufactured by Lilley sword companies over the years were society swords. For addtional information on society swords, please see collector page on Society Sword Makers, and Society Sword Iidentification Marks & Society Names. The founder Mitchell C. Lilley was born in 1819 in Columbus Ohio and died in 1882. Served in the Mexican War (1847-1848) and the Civil War (1861-1862). He was a bookbinder and publisher and published Masonic and Odd Fellows books. In 1865 started the M. C. LILLEY & CO which produced regalia and swords. This included society swords, US regulation swords (Model 1872 cavalry officers swords), and theatrical swords. Upon his death in 1882, the name was changed to THE M. C. LILLEY & CO and his long time partner Charles H. Lindenburg became president. They expanded into a complete line of military swords, uniforms, accessories, and equipment. They issued many military and society catalogs, including a 1919 presentation sword catalog. In 1923 the M. C. Lilley & Co purchased the Henderson-Ames and two years later purchased the Ames Sword Company. In that year, 1925, the name was changed to THE LILLEY CO.. The Ames equipment, tools machinery, etc. were moved from Chicopee, MA, to Columbus Ohio. In 1931 the name was changed to THE LILLEY-AMES CO.. They made a complete line of US regulation swords, including Marine Corps, West Point cadet, and Annapolis cadet swords. In 1941 they had a U.S. contract for 2,936 Model 1941 naval cutlasses with scabbards. The company failed to diversify as regalia sales declined and the company was sold to C. E. Ward in 1951. It operated as a badge manufacturer under the name of LILLEY AMES CO. from 1951 to 1953.

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LILLEY SWORD COMPANIES

Knight of Columbus sword

UR Uniform Ranks designation found on many swords

Sword blade markings and dates of manufacture:

LILLEY AMES CO. Columbus Ohio 1951-1953	THE LILLEY-AMES CO. Columbus Ohio 1931-1951
THE LILLEY CO. Columbus Ohio 1925-1931	THE M. C. LILLEY & CO Columbus Ohio 1882-1925
M. C. LILLEY & CO Columbus Ohio 1865-1882	MITCHELL C. LILLEY Columbus Ohio up to 1865

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