IOOF Ames Chicopee unique?

Jim McDougall · 30th January 2021, 05:24 AM

This sword of the International Order of Odd Fellows appears to be among the variations of mountings, while generally the symbolic decoration is consistent.
While very similar, this fraternal group was not part of the Masonic orders, though often members held concurrent memberships.

The Ames Sword Co. was indeed located in Chicopee, Mass. from 1848-1898, and likely their catalog of 1885 will reveal more on this example. This was reproduced in "Ames Sword Co. 1829-1935" by John D. Hamilton.

These swords are of course not intended as weapons, but ceremonial regalia, and would not serve as a weapon as the blade would break at any contact.
Their appeal comes mostly from the fact that, as here, the blades are often with owners names acid etched along with symbolic motif.

As with Masonic swords, fraternal swords have gained the interest of collectors in recent times as an unusual niche among arms. They are often historically interesting if connected to prominent individuals.

From my understanding the 'encampment' was a higher branch (normally there were lodges, as with Mason's) and members were required to be Third Degree to be included in these. There were variations in hilts as far as pertaining to rank and perhaps that may be the source of the style here.

30th January 2021, 05:24 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,934	This sword of the International Order of Odd Fellows appears to be among the variations of mountings, while generally the symbolic decoration is consistent. While very similar, this fraternal group was not part of the Masonic orders, though often members held concurrent memberships. The Ames Sword Co. was indeed located in Chicopee, Mass. from 1848-1898, and likely their catalog of 1885 will reveal more on this example. This was reproduced in "Ames Sword Co. 1829-1935" by John D. Hamilton. These swords are of course not intended as weapons, but ceremonial regalia, and would not serve as a weapon as the blade would break at any contact. Their appeal comes mostly from the fact that, as here, the blades are often with owners names acid etched along with symbolic motif. As with Masonic swords, fraternal swords have gained the interest of collectors in recent times as an unusual niche among arms. They are often historically interesting if connected to prominent individuals. From my understanding the 'encampment' was a higher branch (normally there were lodges, as with Mason's) and members were required to be Third Degree to be included in these. There were variations in hilts as far as pertaining to rank and perhaps that may be the source of the style here.