Fraternal Knights Of Pythias FCB Antique Sword Pettibone

Description

Original antique sword from the knights of pythias with scabbard in very good used vintage condition as shown. The scabbard, guard, and pommel have an overall gray toned finish. The scabbard has rusting, but no pitting. Bottom of the blade on one side is also rusted. The blade is engraved and was presented to “J. B. Whidden”. Along with the scroll work on the blade is a knight in armor and “Knights of Pythias”. Sword is made by Pettibone MFG CO, Cincinnati.
Scabbard is 29”, blade is 28”, overall sword with the scabbard is 36”. Blade is about 0.75” wide near the handle.
The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, D.C. , on 19 February 1864.Knights of Pythias in a parade in Racine, Wisconsin , circa 1910. The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone , who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the legend of Damon and Pythias . This legend illustrates the ideals of loyalty, honor, and friendship that are the center of the order.The order has over 2,000 lodges in the United States and around the world, with a total membership of over 50,000 in 2003. Some lodges meet in structures referred to as Pythian Castles .Early in the group's history, when a man was inducted into the Knights of Pythias, he received a ceremonial sword. Such swords might be given to a Pythian by family members, business associates, or others as a token of esteem. In recent decades, rather than require each member to own a sword, the local chapter maintains a collection of swords for use by its members. Long, narrow swords are generally used in public during parades and drills, while short swords are used in displays.Markings on swords varied widely. Most swords were inscribed with the acronym "FCB", which stands for the Pythian motto ("Friendship, Charity, Benevolence"). Images on swords were also somewhat common, and included: A man, woman and child (symbolic of Pythias saying good-bye to his family); a man looking out of a building, with a group of people below (symbolic of Damon's pending execution); a man between some pillars, pulling them down (similar to Samson destroying his enemy's temple); or various types of weapons (swords, axes, hammers, etc.). A full Knight of the Pythian order often inscribed his sword with the image of a knight's helmet with a lion on the crest. Many also carried the image of a sprig of myrtle (the Pythian symbol of love) or a falcon (the Pythian symbol of vigilance).
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