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IDENTIFY ITEM: The most common sword is a society or regalia sword. These swords were used in ceremonies by societies like the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Pythias (marked FCB), Knights Templar (Masonic sword with crown and a red cross going through it), Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR - the union veterans of the Civil War). Some are marked with UR which stands for Uniform Ranks and was used by many of the societies (see Society Sword Markings). Most of these swords have a knight's head on the pommel of the sword and the original owner's name etched in the blade. It should be noted that we have never been able to trace down history of any person's name on one of these society swords. The M. C. Lilley and Henderson Ames are the two most commonly found sword maker's names found on these society swords. Based on request for information we have received about these two sword makers'; they must have produced society swords in the hundred of thousands during the 1880's to the 1920's. Because they were produced in this large quantity, their value is relatively low, bring less than $50 and up to $200 retail. DATING SWORDS and GUNS by maker's name One the best ways to date a sword is by looking up the maker's name and finding when that marker used that marking. Two sword examples: M C LILLEY & CO was used from 1865 to 1882 but the marking THE M C LILLEY & CO dates 1882 to 1925. DATING SWORDS and GUNS by Model or Pattern. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words and this is especially true for swords or guns. There are thousands of styles, pattern and models. There are many good reference books that will you help identify a sword or a gun. We are adding collector information pages of different swords, edged weapons and fire arms but it will take many years before we have a large selection of these pages of the web (see SWORDS and ANTIQUE GUNS for collector information pages). DATE SWORDS and GUNS by markings On sword blades there will be an etching that can help date and identify the sword. Many countries have the royal or King's cypher etched on the blade or a stamp on the gun. Example: British crown stamp with the letters WR would be William IV, 1830 to 1837.
Ron Ruble Copyright (c) 2003 |
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