Ceremonial Sword Made by The M.C. Lilley & Co., Columbus, OH *RARE BARN FIND* For Sale

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Ceremonial Sword Made by The M.C. Lilley & Co., Columbus, OH *RARE BARN FIND*:
$329.99

Rare barn find! I'm offering this sword in the condition it was found in. Any restoration can be done by the expert collector that purchases it.

Ceremonial Sword with Sheath and Custom Made Embossed Leather Storage Holder, by M.L. Lilley & Co., Columbus, OH, ca. 1882-1925

Exceptionally crafted steel and gilt bronze highly collectible ceremonial sword with sheath, 35"L, with acid etched scroll and sacred masonic symbols design on steel blade, owner's name "Elmer H Young", "Made by The M.C. Lilley & Co., Columbus, OH", leather wrapped handle with bronze threading; offered with cotton protective sleeve, and custom made embossed leather holder with flap buttoned cover; leather holder measuring 38"L x 6 ¾"W.

Swords marked with LILLEY were made from 1865 to 1953 (Some swords may have been manufactured before 1865). Most of the swords manufactured by Lilley sword companies over the years were society swords. The founder Mitchell C. Lilley was born in 1819 in Columbus Ohio and died in 1882. Served in the Mexican War (1847-1848) and the Civil War (1861-1862). He was a bookbinder and publisher and published Masonic and Odd Fellows books. In 1865 started the M. C. LILLEY & CO which produced regalia and swords. This included society swords, US regulation swords (Model 1872 cavalry officers swords), and theatrical swords. Upon his death in 1882, the name was changed to THE M. C. LILLEY & CO and Charles H. Lindenburg became president. They expanded into a complete line of military swords, uniforms, accessories, and equipment. They issued many military and society catalogs, including a 1919 presentation sword catalog. In 1923 the M. C. Lilley & Co purchased Henderson-Ames and two years later purchased the Ames Sword Company. In that year, 1925, the name was changed to THE LILLEY CO.. The Ames equipment, tools machinery, etc. were moved from Chicopee, MA, to Columbus Ohio. In 1931 the name was changed to THE LILLEY-AMES CO.. They made a complete line of US regulation swords, including Marine Corps, West Point cadet, and Annapolis cadet swords. In 1941 they had a U.S. contract for 2,936 Model 1941 naval cutlasses with scabbards. The company failed to diversify as regalia sales declined and the company was sold to C. E. Ward in 1951. It operated as a badge manufacturer under the name of LILLEY AMES CO. from 1951 to 1953.

Condition: See detailed photos. Overall fair, light oxidation to blade, pitting on sheath, wear to gilt, soils to leather holder, losses to cotton protective cover.

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