"Sons of Liberty" Fraternal Sword by William Horstmann & Sons
Item #: AA3475
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This is a fraternal sword for a member of the "Sons of Liberty" from the William H. Horstmann & Sons of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This organization was known by several other names, including the Knights of the Golden Circle. It was a secret organization founded in 1854 by George W. Bickley. The objective of the organization was to form a separate country from southern slave states, part of the New Mexico Territory, Mexico, all of Central America, the northern part of South America and the majority of the islands of the Caribbean. Some of the other names the organization used were "The Mutual Protection Society", the "Circle of Honor", and the "Knights of the Mighty Host". Many famous people of the 1850's - 1860's time period were alleged membes of the organization, to include Jefferson Davis, Nathan Bedford Forrest, Frank & Jesse James, Cole Younger and John Wilkes Booth to name a few. The sword dates from the 1850's and was assembled and retailed by Horstmann & Sons from their Philadelphia location. The sword and scabbard are in good condition for the age. The overall length of the sword is 33", with the blade length being 25 7/16". The blade is the Rococo style and is a bright silver etchings on both sides of the blade. The hilt has a bone grip with a Knight's Templar cross on the obverse side. The pommel cap is The Knights Head helmet. The cross guard features a nine point star with a cross in the center thirteen five pointed stars on each side of it on one side, a skull and cross bones with the same thirteen star arrangement on the other. The obverse side of the blade has a floral etching, the makers name W. H. HORSTMANN & Sons, a circle with a seven point star with a cross in the center, a mounted knight on horseback with lance and shield, a military type shield with a cross in the center and a laurel branch. The reverse side of the blade has a floral etching, Philadelphia in cursive, a Templar cross, the words IN HOC SIGNO VINCES. a military shield with a Maltese cross on it, a pair of military shields with standards and another laurel branch. In hoc signo vinces is a Latin phrase that translates to "IN THIS SIGN YOU SHALL CONQUER." The blade shows a couple of small black spots, and has a couple of small nicks on the edge. The scabbard is silver plated and shows wear, very little loss of plating and a couple of small dings. There are two ring mounts for the swords drops of the belt supporting this sword. The rings and mounts were gold gilt, but the majority of the gilt has worn off. The outside of the scabbard has an engraved triangle with an unknown design in the center just below the frog stud. Further down the scabbard is an engraved knights helmet and another laurel branch. Inset in the drag of the scabbard is another nine point star. The sword comes with an original copy of the Judge Advocate General's report on the "Order of the American Knights" or the "SONS OF LIBERTY" that was printed at the Washington printing office in 1864. The report was prepared by Joseph Holt. This original Civil War period document is 16 pages and goes into great detail concerning all aspects of the "Sons of Liberty" or as they were better known, the Knights of the Golden Circle. Fraternal swords are not uncommon, but one associated with this organization doesn't come along very often. Here's an opportunity to own a piece of real conspiracy history!
Shipping Weight:
4 lbs
Item # AA3475
Your Price $1,495.00 USD
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