KNIGHTS TEMPLAR SWORD, LATE 19TH CENTURY

27 1/4" blade finely decorated near full length with Crusades scenes and motifs, Memento Mori (skull and crossed bones) and owner's name, with the gold background virtually complete. Forte marked E A ARMSTRONG MFG. CO. 315 WABASH AVE CHICAGO. dating it 1892-99 when the company was sold to Ames. Decoration crisp with the last third of the blade toward the tip with scattered raised surface rusting. Plated hilt with ebony grip and chain guard. Plated scabbard with high relief, finely modeled mounts. Datable early example.