I found a Sword UPDATE

FunWithTreasure · Oct 9, 2010

Went out for a bit tonight. I though I found a bottle dump to dig but it turned out to be bottles and just about everything else you could amagine on the surface covered by leaves. I did find some older bottles but the cool thing I found was this sword. The case is pretty rusty and the leather is all rotten and missing some. The blade looks good though I think it is Stainless? Anyway I dont know if it is anything old or what or if it was just someones display and they tossed it. Still pretty cool.. It says Chas A Dixon on the blade and it also says at the base The M.C. Lilly & CO 13W 30th Street New York and on other side it says Germany anyone know anything about it. Its complete except for one loop on the case..

***UPDATE***

Well I took it to the Cooksakie Antique Mall today to have it looked at by there militia guy. He said that it is the real deal from 1890s - 1925 like the site on them says. I wasnt sure if it was a remake or not but now I know it is real. The owner was the name on the side and one of the Tnet members here had a Ansestory account and is looking up the owner and has a few possibles. I will wait to here more from him. I think I will try to contact a next of kin to see if they have any interest in it. I love it but belive it should be a nice family memerobilia piece.. So we will see

romeo-1 · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

That is quite the find!

Woodland Detectors · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

And all I found was this sword..

Geez you guys.

Eh, Sentinel?

wwwtimmcp · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

old sword makers used blades from solingen germany and added their own handles and decorations. try googling the names on the sword.

Bramblefind · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

That is awesome! Congratulations! I have access to census records on Ancestry if you would like me to try to track down that name let me know - just would need a general location you found it.

I found this on a quick google search -

http://www.neaca.com/FraternalSwordsandCollectables.htm

Knights of Pythias Fraternal Sword & Scabbard

This is a fine old example of the Knights of Pythias highly decorative sword with nickeled scabbard. A chain Bond of Steel runs from the Knights Head pommel to double Phoenix crossguard and shield with emblazoned "U R", the reverse has "F C B" on crossguard for Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. The Pythians were the first Fraternal Organization chartered by the United States Congress and at the urging of President Lincoln in 1864. Its' goal was to bring the both sides of a warring Nation back to Peace and Brotherhood. This sword is a fine example of that reverent period and lofty goal. I do not know the age and can find nothing on W. Pettis but by style is probably around 1865 to 1875. The blade is marked William Pettis, Troy, NY and the owner is etched into blade as L. B. A. Snyder. The leather covered wood grip does show some wear but the sword is tight and the blade is in excellent condition. We have this fine piece of Americana priced at

$425.00. ... BUY NOW.

{Sentinel} · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

4-H said:
And all I found was this sword..

Geez you guys.

Eh, Sentinel?

MAN, you should be ecstatic, that's a super cool find man! I don't know of its age or provenance but its NOT every day that you find a sword, and ESPECIALLY not on in THAT condition with the sheath!

Bramblefind · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

Here's a little more to date it :icon_thumleft:

http://www.ruble-enterprises.com/what_do_I_have.htm

DATING SWORDS and GUNS by maker's name

One the best ways to date a sword is by looking up the maker's name and finding when that marker used that marking. Two sword examples: M C LILLEY & CO was used from 1865 to 1882 but the marking THE M C LILLEY & CO dates 1882 to 1925.

colorado14ers · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

wow!!!! epic find!!!!!

FunWithTreasure · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

O trust me im really really happy to have it.. I havent put it down yet..lol

Gunny71 · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

Wow, what a find! Bet it was hard to get into your finds bag! :headbang:

Mr Tuff · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

BANNER MR TUFF

bryguy5 · Oct 9, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

Wow killer find, everyone has been turning up banner finds and i think this is another. You got my vote. Nice find. :thumbsup:

FunWithTreasure · Oct 10, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

Thanks everyone it is my 2nd favorite find. I was pondering wether I should try to get some if the rust off the case or not. What do you think.

ANTIQUARIAN · Oct 10, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

That's a great looking find FWT! :notworthy:

As far as restoration goes . . . if you need to stabilize the metal from further deterioration,
then I'd recommend to only stabilize it. But, if one day you wanted potentially to sell it,
I'd leave it as is.

Cheers!
Dave

Woodland Detectors · Oct 10, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

FunWithTreasure said:
O trust me im really really happy to have it.. I havent put it down yet..lol

OK!

Congratulations friend.

FunWithTreasure · Oct 10, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

Antiquarian said:
That's a great looking find FWT!

As far as restoration goes . . . if you need to stabilize the metal from further deterioration,
then I'd recommend to only stabilize it. But, if one day you wanted potentially to sell it,
I'd leave it as is.

Cheers!
Dave

Ya I dont think I'd sell it. I'm just worries about the rust on the case. You can't tell from the pictures but it's got a pretty full coat of rust over the whole case.

dougadam · Oct 10, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

Wow what a find! :headbang:

steelheadwill · Oct 10, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

Speechless.....
Well, er, WOW !!

FunWithTreasure · Oct 10, 2010

See top for update

ANTIQUARIAN · Oct 11, 2010

Re: I found a Sword

FunWithTreasure said:
Antiquarian said:

That's a great looking find FWT!

As far as restoration goes . . . if you need to stabilize the metal from further deterioration,
then I'd recommend to only stabilize it. But, if one day you wanted potentially to sell it,
I'd leave it as is.

Cheers!
Dave

Click to expand...

Ya I dont think I'd sell it. I'm just worries about the rust on the case. You can't tell from the pictures but it's got a pretty full coat of rust over the whole case.

Yeah, I hear what your saying, but I wouldn't want to give you the wrong advice here. I might recommend that you PM Buckle Boy or Iron Patch and see what those guys might recommend. I'll attach a tag line here of some information that I've collected over the years, but only use it as a guideline.

Happy Hunting,
Dave :icon_thumright:

"For finishing/sealing rusty old iron, either use stove black and then buff it a little or get a propane torch and a cake of paraffin canning wax and heat the iron and melt the wax onto it and rub it with a rag. I'm kind of partial to the waxing method, since if the stove blacked piece is handled too much it will make for black fingers. The only drawback to the waxing is if the piece is left in bright sunlight it will look wet since a little film of wax will melt although it doesn't really hurt anything. I firmly believe that stove black or wax always looks better than paint."