This photograph is of a Masonic Knights Templar symbol showing a cross within a crown inside a Maltese cross, which has the Latin phrase, “in hoc signo vinces.” The phrase means “in this sign you shall conquer” and was used by Constantine as a military motto in the early 4th Century. The phrase was also used by the original Knights Templar military order that was founded during the Crusades. The Freemasons began using Templar rituals and symbols in the late 1700s.
Knights Templar legends and myths are quite popular in movies and books such as The Da Vinci Code, Foucault’s Pendulum, National Treasure, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Some also see parallels between the Jedi Knights of Star Wars and the Knights Templar military order.
Photo: from the mausoleum of Dr. J.G. Locke, Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Colorado
November 19, 2006 at 9:32 pm |
we have stumbled on apparently an old Templar sword. the emblem IN HOC SIGNO VINCES is on this piece around a cross at what appears to be a 33 degree angle. We are trying to find out as much as we can as to it’s age and history. The sword has what appears to be an ivory handle. It was made for a Thomas Henry Rosenberger. The sword company making it is Henderson Ames. Can you help us in our search
August 7, 2009 at 8:06 pm |
We have a sword apparently an old Templar sword. We found it in southwest in Mexico. We want to know how old it is and its history. It has the emblem IN HOC SIGNO VINCES, it is around a red cross.Can any one help us in our search.
September 5, 2009 at 9:01 pm |
It is a 32 degree angle for a 32nd degree Mason. The sword was/is a ritual sword given when one reaced that rank in the Masons; it is unlikely more than 100 years old.
October 11, 2009 at 6:32 am
Response to:
“It is a 32 degree angle for a 32nd degree Mason. The sword was/is a ritual sword given when one reaced that rank in the Masons; it is unlikely more than 100 years old.”
There is no significance to the specific angle of the cross, and it certainly has nothing at all to do with rank, etc. This symbol is used by the Knights Templar of the York Rite of Freemasonry. The 32nd and 33rd degrees are part of the Scottish Rite. The two are two entirely separate branches of Masonry.
As to the age of the sword, the HENDERSON-AMES company was in business under that name from 1893-1923.
November 24, 2006 at 8:09 pm |
we have a dress sword with the name of my great grandfather inscribed on it. he was a member of the masons at the turn of the century in columbus ohio. the sword was made by Mclilley Co in columbus ohio. his inscribed name was John Thomas
December 5, 2006 at 8:22 am |
Would be most interested to see detailed photographs of sword
U.S. KT swords tend to be of high quality and if old tend to be named for the wearer.
I have purchased a number of them over the years, which I regularly use at KT meetings here in the UK. You will often see examples for sale on Ebay which will allow you to get an idea of the value of your sword. Personally I feel they are always a good talking point. Also maybe you would be interested in becoming a Freemason, oh yes there are many Ladies and Mens lodges. You only have to ask any Freemason and they will be delighted to talk to you. We are not a secret society, we are however a society with some matters that we consider to be private. You will also find out that The United States of America was founded on Masonic principles and that in your oath of allegence you are quoting a Masonic obligation. Even you famous Greenback $1 bill carries the all seeing eye, a masonic pyramid and the rays of heaven. All masonic symbols
Best regards to you accross the other side of the pond
January 21, 2007 at 6:42 pm |
I have purchased a sword insrcibed with the name of Archibald B. Falcoxxer. Can you give me any info on the age of the sword and value. It is in very good condition it also holds the In Hoc Signo Vinces (The McLilley & Co-Columbus Ohio) inscribed on the sword. The sword has an ivory handle with a cross on one side of it, and it has a insignia on the opposit side it also has silver scabbered with it and a number 71 on the back side. It is in very good condition. I am just interested in its origin.
Respectfully,
Carl E. Poynter Jr.
January 31, 2007 at 1:45 pm |
I have a sword from my GrandFather, I was trying to find information about this sword, sounds like the same type of sword everyone else is describing in this forum.
Looks very old, and has an Ivory handle.
It also has underneath the handle enscribed in it (The McLilley & Co. Columbas Ohio) The sword has 2 crosses on it. On the blade of the sword, it has fancy engravings of knights in armor, etc. The handle of the sword has a knight in armor head above the ivory handle. The sword also has a quote engraved into it: In Hoc Signo Vin CES.
I would like to find out more about this sword and it’s origin and approximate age of the sword and if anyone knows about the value of this sword, I would appreciate your help.
It has a name of Edward A Eagle on the sword.
Lookforward to hearing anyones reply if they know about this type of sword.
Thank you
Jeff Pettis
February 17, 2007 at 12:35 am |
SOUNDS VERY MUCH LIKE LATE 1800`S,EARLY 1900`S MASONIC TEMPLAR SWORD …GIVEN TO MASONS AND HANDED DOWN USUALLY WITHIN FAMILIES OR BY MASONIC FRATERNAL SPONSORSHIP BETROTHAL….VALUES VARY WITH CONDITION OBVIOUSLY BUT RANGE ANYWHERE FROM $50 TO $500
February 17, 2007 at 12:38 am |
THE ENGRAVED NAMES ARE MORE THAN LIKELY THE NAME OF THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THE SWORD
May 3, 2007 at 6:58 am |
I inherited a sword manufactured by the Mc Lilley Co. from Columbus, Ohio.
It has the name C. W. Mac Bride inscribed on the sword. If anyone has any information pertaining to the story of this sword or its value, I would appreciate hearing from you. Both sword and sheath are in very good condition. The sword has the words IN HOC SIGNO VINCES inscribed in the handle, and the letter K to the left and the letter T to the right of the In Hoc Signo Vinces words.
The sheath has very ornate horsemen riding towards each other with what looks like palm trees in their midst.
Any information is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Tara Orlando
January 30, 2010 at 12:02 pm |
i have a similar sword,it bears the name william g. neilson,who may or maynot be a famous major in the civil war.this sword also has a shoulder strap of crosses w/a badge reading”dieu le veut”&no.45,&a cross inside a cross.could it be a repro.it is marked m.c..lilley.
May 29, 2007 at 12:28 pm |
Recently visited the grave of a friend’s grandfather. She couldn’t tell me what the badge on his headstone symbolized. It’s a flower-like shape with the initials E, C, W, U, F in each of it’s five “petals.” There is a pentagon with a cross, a crown, and a maltese cross in the center.
Sounds like he could have been a Freemason, but what do the initials stand for?
June 3, 2007 at 5:24 pm |
I have found my grandfathers sword it has castle and knight designs on the blade it is inscribed with Ralph C. Dawsons name. It is made by the M.C. LILLEY & CO. COLUMBUS OHIO. In the middle Guard there is a crown and inside of the crown, there is a cross it has the inscription that says In Hoc Signo Vinces. On the Pommel there is a knights head. Connecting from the Pommel to the Guard there is a gold chain. On the grip there is a cross.
July 9, 2007 at 12:06 pm |
The swords described above resemble the Masonic Knight Templar swords used in the United States. Some of the swords can date back to the beginnings of KT in the US. Most of the swords described above were made by one company in Ohio, and was a well known manufactor of Masonic regalia(?). It was a very common event to have the name of the purchaser of the sword engraved on the sword. This practice still exists today. Since the middle of the 1800s to the middle of the 1900s the KT in the US were very numerous and therefore the swords were very common. The value of each sword is different, based upon condition, the actual history of the sword and its contents, such as gold and ivory, etc. Please contact a local Masonic Lodge to help you research these swords.
Thanks
July 12, 2007 at 10:14 am |
this is the emblem for the royal black preceptory
August 4, 2007 at 4:38 pm |
i have a silver coin with in hoc signo vinces on the reverse with regina maria and a crown with 4 x’s underneath——any ideas???
October 28, 2007 at 8:36 am |
Brian-
Most KT orgainzations sell such coins as fund raisers for the lodge, or the KT charities. The Templar Eye foundation is a big charity. Usually they are found in the back of the KT magazine published monthly. Cost is around $5-$10.
If it is silver it might be an older coin. I don’t think we’re on to anything new by selling coins with our motto on them to raise money for charity. I think our membership has been minting coins for sale for a long time to raise money.
November 2, 2007 at 4:45 pm |
For the Constantinian motto “In Hoc Signo Vinces”, type it into wikipedia.com. It is also a permutation of letters which also mean “knowing the vine of Jesus of Jerusalem” or the lineage of Jesus. It derives from the Emperor Constantine the Great, and was assumed by a few noble families in Europe, such as the Earl of Arran (Sudley), and even earlier by the(Irish) “O’Donnell of Tyrconnell” nobility, some of whom are also Knights of Malta, and one of whom is a Commander of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. The motto of that nobiliary order is also “In Hoc Signo Vinces”. The motto was bestowed, along with the Red Cross coat-of-arms, by Saint Patrick on Conall, the son of the Irish High King Niall, ancestor of the O’Donnells. The O’Donnells came to power in Tyrconnell at the time that the Knights Templar were being abolished/banished. Some came to Sligo (Templemore) and Donegal, and under O’Donnell protection then went to Scotland. The name O’Donnell is no accident. It is Gaelic for World Ruler or in Latin, Rex Mundi, a Cathar concept. Many O’Donnells hold key positions of power, in the British government one is the head of the civil service; another is the Duke of Tetuan in Spain; others are counts in Austria, barons in Ireland, and run part of the United Nations, and one Argentinian O’Donnell is a top political advisor to the USA and UN. Others included a Cardinal, several Generals, Ministers, and the Apostle of Newfoundland. The top O’Donnells are also descended from Irish, Scottish, English, Merovingian, Hungarian, and Scandinavian kings, and from the Makhir of Narbonne, as well as from the Caesars (see Charles Mosley’s Blood Royal book). Their family saint is Columba/Colmcille who brought Christianity to Scotland, and was an O’Donnell. Their oldest manuscript was written by him, and is Ireland’s most ancient, over 1500 years old, the Cathach.
November 7, 2007 at 7:27 pm |
Wow. yes the Templars were removed from Malta and scattered throughout the world. Their society still exists today and their rituals are intact. The swords you all are asking about were issued to Knights Templar when they were Knighted. The sword companies no longer exist as many closed during the depression. Their value is directly proportional to your family lineage. If your husband or son becomes a Knight, through Masonry, the sword would be of a great value. They range from 50 -250 on average, with some unfortunately being scammed for as high as 2,000 in Reno. They have ivory handles and are ceremonial in nature….
November 26, 2007 at 7:38 pm |
they have made an Xbox 360 game referring to the knights templar. it is called Assassin’s Creed. from what i heard, it is a great game.
January 2, 2008 at 11:10 pm |
I have one of these swords with “William Cullen Bryant” as the engraved name. Anyone know what that might be worth?
April 21, 2008 at 4:38 pm |
These Knights Templar swords are regalia of the Masonic concordant body of Knights Templars. They (KT org) have a website if you want to learn more about them. As far as the sword manafucturers, common: M.C. Lilly Co. – sold to C.E. Ward Co. (New London, OHIO) in 1951. In 1987 – C.E. Ward sold to Ames Sword Co. who also has a website. I believe the ‘ivory’ in the hilt is actually scrimshaw. If swords are in less than pristine condition, Ames website indicates they do repairs. There are also other companies on the internet that offer repair/restoration. What a treasure to hang on your wall!
May 3, 2008 at 1:29 pm |
I have been given a sword from a family member that was made by the McLilley Company in Columbus Ohio, it has saveral distinctive markings but has the name either D.G. Lawrence or B.G. Lawarence. I have had it looked at by a few people who know and deal with swords I feel that i truely belongs to a family and needs to be returned, the genltmen that have looked at this sword say it is worth quite a bit of money and I really would like to get it back to its rightful owner!!! If anyone has any information on this please reply!!!
July 9, 2008 at 9:57 am |
Um, there is NO WAY that symbol is a maltease cross. The Cross in the picture is a cross pattee
The Maltese Cross is the symbol of the knights hospitallers and came into use in the 1500s Althought the Hospitallers and the templars were formed around the same time in 1100s, the templars were wiped out or went underground (depending on who you believe) in early 1300s The Hospitallers didnt even go to malta until 1530
September 6, 2008 at 4:12 pm |
i have a mc lilley sword with the name alec.f.streitz. what or how old are these swords does anyone know.
December 22, 2008 at 5:19 pm |
i have a sword that was my great-grandpas and it is a knight of apythias sword made from m.c lilly company in coloumbus ohio in the years of 1923-1925. i want to know a little more about it. here are the details of the sword.
-top of the grip there is a knight helmet with a griffin on it.
-white ivory grip (no cracks)
- a cross with a triangle through it on one side and his initials on the other.
-coat of arms right before the blade starts (on the T section, base)
-a mongoose or a badger stamped or carved at the beginning of the base of the blade.
-on the length of the sword there are various engraved pictures of:
a campsite with tents, a jousting knight, a knight holding a flag, a building resembling the whit house but surrounded by palm trees.
- on the scabbard the letter “T” printed next to each screw. i have a name too Chas H. Sorg. i as well have the in hoc signo vinces but i already know what that means. it’s latin for in this sign, you shall conquer. help me figure out more info!!
August 1, 2009 at 2:38 pm |
My husband just showed me a sword almost identical to the one you described that was handed down to him from his father. I would be interested to know what you found out.
Thanks
January 22, 2010 at 3:19 am |
My son has a sword that is like the one you described. We would like to know if you have found any information on the swords…like how old they are and what their worth is. Would appreciate any info on them. Thanks.
January 22, 2010 at 11:26 am |
DEAR SIR, THE NAME SORG IS THE NAME OF A VERY OLD PAPER MILL FOUNDER, IN THE SMALL TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN OHIO. IT WAS BUILT OFF OF THE MIAMI-ERIE CANNAL. THE SORG OPERA HOUSE AND THE SORG CASTLE ARE STILL STANDING IN THE TOWN AND THERE ARE ALOT OF STORYS AROUND THE SORGS HERE IN MIDDLETOWN, IT COULD BE OF SOME RELATION TO THEM IT WOULD BE COOL TO DIG DEEPER INTO THAT. I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU.
December 30, 2008 at 8:07 pm |
My sword has the jolly roger on the bottom of the blade near the handle, it also has a impression of West Germany on the bottom of the blade. The name is William Cunnis, i think, i can’t quit make it out. White ivory grip, engravings on blade and great leather case.
April 24, 2009 at 11:26 pm |
A lot of you with swords in the U.S. Should also consider that it may be a knights of Columbus KofC sword (Catholic) they have dress uniforms and swords for ceremonies and wakes amoungst other duties.
Unless of course it has distinct Mason Symbols.
Also, Coins could also be from portugal if they are old or found at seasides.
My 2 cents
June 23, 2009 at 9:44 am |
I have a small coin collection and recently examined a coin that my mother gave to me a few years ago. The coin’s obverse side depicts the bust of Queen Victoria facing left, with the words “Dei Gracia”, note that it does not say “Dei Gratia” which is common to most other British coins. The obverse side most closely resembles a double flourin, except for the “c” in “gratia”. The reverse side has the phrase “in hoc signo vinces” or “in this sign you will conquer” around the outside and surrounding an Order of Christ cross. Also, there is no date visible. I can’t find a similar coin after an extensive search on the internet, but have found some background information that may help in its identification. My mom is from Portugal, and that is where she found the coin. The Order of Christ was founded in Portugal around 1317, after it was transformed from the Knights Templar. The order survived until about 1910, when the Portuguese monarchy ended. The trouble is that I can’t seem to find a connection to Queen Victoria. I am wondering if you have any information about the coin, or have even heard of such a thing. I can scan an image of the coin if you request it.
September 27, 2009 at 9:37 pm |
Some one traded a sword with my husband. The sword has a ivory handle with a knight helment on top and a chain connecting to another piece. with a red cross and crown with white dots on the part that disconnects from the sword. with the name Fred H. Randall engraved on it also the initials on the ivory part that has a cross placed through the crown. very roman like sword. It has the words knights templar 21 on it. The Petibone bros. mfg. co. cincinnati ohio engraved on it to. Curious how old is this sword and any information on it would be helpful.
October 4, 2009 at 7:47 pm |
I have a Knights Templar sword that has a ivory handle, skull and cross bones, and the opposit side has In Hoc Signo Vinces. The blade has the name Henry B. Loucks Jr., the scabbord has a red cross through a crown,red cross in the middle with a crown above it and a red cross on the bottom with slight damage to it. Can someone help me out in determining the value of it.Handle has Hugh de Payens Commandery no. 30.
November 28, 2009 at 12:03 pm |
You can find KT swords all through the internet – Pricing is all over the board. Usually, a run of the mill sword can be had in the $200 – $500 range … Some more, some less. If there is ANY chance that you will have a son, nephew, etc that may some day become a York Rite Mason, I would encourage you to save the sword and pass it down. A sword is a very important part of the York Rite Commandery. An old sword with some history would be extremely meaningful to the recipient.
November 29, 2009 at 10:40 pm |
My father has had a sword for quite some time. A long time ago, an old man gave it to him for helping him move. The sword came into his possession when he was in Germany during World War II. He took shelter in an old house that was blown up and had found the sword in the chimney of a fireplace. The sword is a lot like the ones described above but has the name John R. Tarbutton on it.The blade is engraved on one side with knights on horses jousting and some kind of temple or castle surrounded by trees. It also (on both sides) has some kind of flowery (ivy) engraving on the blade. The pommel has a knight’s head and an ivory (no cracks)grip with a cross emblem on it. Further down the hilt closer to the blade, it has a cross engraved in the center and two other “crosses” on the ends of the handle with the “in hoc signo vinces” motto on it. It is labeled with the C.E. Ward Company New London on it. It does have the red cross encircled with a crown on it also. Any thoughts?
January 16, 2010 at 4:15 pm |
I am trying to find out the if the sword I found with early medal after being underground and having the in hoc signo vinces motto on it with a gold and weight on the head in of the sword total lenght of 35″ long one of the early crusades and trying to find out who to contact to find out if is from the early 1400s or sooner
February 1, 2010 at 7:26 pm |
Thank you for the intriguing read! Alright playtime is over and back to school work.