An ornate ceremonial sword belonging to Samuel W. Taylor of the Masonic Knights Templar, 28 in. blade and 35 in. overall. This is likely late 19th century, with a knight's head-shaped pommel, white ivory grip engraved with Taylor’s initials on one side and a templar cross on the other, and a chain link handguard. The highly oxidized silver crossguard still manages to be rather eye-catching with its elaborate design, showing a filigree design, two Templar crosses on either end, and the depiction of the order’s insignia; a red cross within a crown inside a Maltese cross, their motto surrounding the image ‘IN HOC SIGNO VINCES’ (‘IN THIS SIGN YOU SHALL CONQUER’). The blade is acid etched with attractive Templar motifs, filigree designs, and Taylor’s full name in gothic script, a somewhat faded gold background under the etching. At the ricasso is the maker mark for The Pettibone Brothers of Cincinnati, Ohio. Housed within a brown leather scabbard, with two suspension rings, a leather handle attached to the rings, and two chain hangers suspended from either ring. At the top flap of the scabbard is a silver nameplate with the text ‘S.W. Taylor Pontiac, Mich.’. Notable cracking to the leather, with heavy oxidation to the crossguard and pommel of the blade, still a beautifully crafted sword. Samuel W. Taylor is an ancestor of June Gara, the wife of Lt. Col. WILLIAM B. GARA (1917-2001) commander of the crucial 1st Engineer Combat Battalion and among the first to land on Omaha Beach, and this sword has been handed down through the family.