Early 20th century. Plated hilt with knight’s head pommel and dove form quillons. Shell guard with U R flanking a lily. Stipple band wrapped leather-covered grip (some wear to leather high spots). 28” d.e. blade with maker’s name HENDERSON AMES CO KALAMAZOO MICH to the ricasso. That address used after 1899. Both sides decorated in foliage, standing knight, Pythian devices, and the owner’s name. Crisp and bright with the gold background intact and strong.. The Scabbard with high relief tasks of Hercules motif and Pythian devices. The Knights of Pythias was chartered in 1864 and among the first after the Civil War. These organizations provided their members a number of benefits from social status to, in extreme cases, physical backing against their adversaries
