ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN SWORD

The first of the secret societies which offered the broad member brothership benefits and the model for the societies which followed it. Lovely high relied decorated hilt with ebony grip and heavy gold overlay guard, pommel and knuckle chain. 28” d.e. blade with Mc Lilly/Columbus maker’s name, decorated first half with owner’s name, A O U W, crossed swords and heart and scrolling foliage, with heavy gold background. Plated scabbard with three matching gold overlay mounts. The plating interestingly displaying the A O U W on bare metal ground. A very rare example of masking the background and plating the exposed motif only. Scabbard shows some wear and dark staining to the bottom half. Fine display.