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Originally Posted by David
ummm...please excuse me if i interrupt the cringing here, but is there any evidence, other than the "story" that Iliad was told, that this sword ever had any real association with the KKK. It would seem really odd to me that it would be marked with a single "K" if it were. Couldn't this "K" stand for any thing?  |
Thats OK David.....but you have to admit...there's nothing quite like a good 'cringe'
Actually, the shield shaped escutcheon on this sword seems to have three crudely fashioned 'K's , the dark ones on either side and a rather subdued one in the center.
Many of the fraternal swords produced carried the initials of many of these organizations, which often included the word 'knight' (s) so sure, if one or two letters of an acronym were 'K's other meanings might be presumed.
With three 'K's however, there is much cause for cringing, and it is pretty amazing how instinctively that reaction occurs.
While of course we are uncertain whether the story about the sword is valid or not, the presence of the markings as they seem to appear, and the questions concerning the subject matter, even though well presented ,were the source of concern.
The answers remain....no, there was no officially known group with the name kkk during the Civil War, and the first group, mostly Confederate soldiers, after the war ended began in a club type atmosphere, which degraded within several years and was disbanded. The subsequent groupings using the earlier title and fanciful hierarchy became the 'organization' which we have noted and 'cringed' in recognizing.
This sword is as noted, very interesting, indeed a dress sword intended as regalia for fraternal issue, probably an imported blade, not in any way associated with the Ames Sword Co.
Best regards,
Jim