RARE/UNIQUE KEYSTONE GUARD SECRET SOCIETY SWORD C.1880

The Keystone Guard was a secret (fraternal) society established in Athens, Pennsylvania in the second half of the 19th century, the "Golden Age of Fraternalism" when such societies gained their greatest enrollment. Its creation date is stated as “roughly 1870” and the style and craftsmanship on this sword dates it to that early, 1870-80 period. It was dissolved by 1920. This sword is the only example from that organization that we have ever seen including focused research. It is made to military standard, unplated, owing to its proximity to the Civil War. Hand crafted throughout, the bone grip mounts an engraved stars and bars shield and the pommel is of the iconic key stone form. The 29 3/8” blade, otherwise unmarked, bears foliage and the owner’s name with COMMANDER opposite (both faint). The copper scabbard is finely hand engraved with KEY STONE over the symbol and COMMANDER below. Additional crossed flags, serpentine and other symbols follow. The hilt and scabbard show a fine dark age storage film, easily cleaned but absolutely adding to its charm.