By Nicholas Stothard 

The object that will be discussed in this article is a decorative ceremonial sword.  It belonged to a man named Lowell R. Cuthbert, a member of the local branch of the Freemasons Order. His initials and surname, “L.R. Cuthbert” are engraved into the center of the blade alongside elaborate decorative engravings that give the blade some flourish. Engraved at the bottom of the blade where it meets the hilt is “The Henderson Ames Co Kalamazoo Mich,” which indicates the manufacturer of the sword. The hilt of the blade features a white ivory handle, with one side featuring a stylized Masonic cross, and the other side featuring the initials “LRC”. The blade’s cross guard is made of solid iron or steel and engraved with a floral/fleur-de-lis pattern. The center of the cross guard features a relief of the bust of a knight on both sides of the blade.  The knight wears chainmail and a helmet. The blade’s pommel is also decorative and stylized.  It is shaped to look like a knight’s armet helmet. A chain is connected from the tip of the pommel helmet to the cross guard, which creates a strap for one’s hand. 

Included with the blade is its scabbard for its storage and protection. It is engraved with metal reliefs decorating the scabbard in sections: the top, the middle and the bottom tip. The top relief features a red cross in its center.  The surrounding engravings show a scene of the sun shining down onto a person. The middle relief depicts a knight wearing a cross on his chest plate. The bottom tip relief features basic floral patterns. Lowell Cuthbert’s initials and last name are engraved in between the top and middle sections. It also has three metal rings attached at the top and middle to allow one to wear the blade on a belt. 

The Freemasons in Michigan started in 1764 when warrants were issued by the Grand Master of New York. The Masons of Bay City were present beginning in the latter half of the 1800s, with frequent appearances in the Bay City Times Tribune news articles from 1880 to the 1920s. Their involvement in social functions and events in town was substantial. One such event was the laying of the cornerstone of the Scottish Rite Cathedral.  It was celebrated by both the Masons and the townspeople with a parade that included the Bay City Central Marching Band (2).

The sword is a part of a dress/ceremonial uniform worn by the Masons during the early decades of the 1900s. Similar to other decorative blades made to be worn, it is not sharpened or honed for any type of combat. However, it was not made lightly. The sword has some heft to it and the handle and cross guard are solid, with little to no looseness in its assembly.  The sword itself physically represents the philosophy and perspective held by the Masonic Order.  With the uniform, the sword creates a look that symbolizes and reflects the ideals, goals and ambitions of the local Masonic Order. 

References

1. Stillson, H.L. and Hughan, W.J. (eds.) (1912) History of Freemasonry and Concordant Orders. Fraternity Publishing Company. Privately held in the Bay County Historical Museum collection.

2. Bay City Times Tribune (Bay City, Michigan), “Laying Cornerstone of the Scottish Rite Cathedral Saturday,” 22 Mar 1925, p. 13, digital images,  NewsBank Inc. (infoweb.newsbank.com: accessed Oct 2025)