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Sword/scabbard: Knights Templar, Pilgrim Commandery, No. 16, Hoboken, N.J. N.d., ca. 1890-1910, presented to Otto F. Reese.

Object/Artifact
Sword with scabbard: Knights Templar, Pilgrim Commandery, No. 16, Hoboken, N.J. No date, circa 1890-1910, presented to Otto F. Reese (1869-1922.) Sword: 27" overall length. Etched blade engraved "Otto F. Reese." No maker's marks found on either element. A ceremonial sword used in Masonic (freemasonry) rituals. Cast metal hilt with knight pommel, black wood grip with plain metal cross, open cast crossguard. Enameled cartouche applied at crossguard: K T; Pilgrim Commandery; In hoc signo vinces; 16. Hard scabbard with applied stamped metal plus two enameled elements: red cross through crown with blue decoration; Maltese cross in red. ---- Little is known about the recipient Reese (see notes). Masonic lodges (of which there were several in Hoboken) often included members from towns adjacent to Hoboken. ---- rite / ritual / order / orders / degree / degrees

2014.056.0001

2014.056

Bunten, Paul S.

Gift

Gift in memory of Otto Reese by Paul S. Bunten.

1890 - 1910

Date: 1890-1910

Good

Notes: Donor Paul S. Bunten provided this information about his great-grandfather, Otto Reese - Knights Templar sword with hard scabbard belonged to my great grandfather, Otto Reese (1869-1922). The hilt of the sword is inscribed Pilgrim Commandery, Hoboken, N.J.” Otto was born in Illinois, but by 1880 he was living in Hoboken at age 12. The 1885 NJ Census shows him still in Hoboken at age 17. The 1890 census is of course lost, but by 1900 he was married and living in Jersey City at age 32. Then by 1910 he was living in Weehawken, and by 1920, he was living in Ridgefield Park, where he died. Hermann C. Reese (b. 1840) was Otto’s father and immigrated from Prussia. Otto was the oldest of seven children. His profession is illegible on all the poor quality census copies I have. The 1880 census says Hermann C. was a dyer. At that time, Hermann and family was living in Hoboken, 3rd Ward, District 2. Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2014-11-10

front: sword and scabbard
back: sword and scabbard hilt: pommel, grip and crossguard with cartouche detail enameled cartouche at crossguard detail blade with name: Otto F. Reese scabbard front details with 2 enameled crosses