Turns out my Great Great Grandfather was kind of cool.

Knights of Pythias

My Grandmother gave me this sword 10 years ago before she passed away. She said it belonged to her Grandfather who fought in the Civil War. Thanks to the internet this is what I was able to find out about it. The Knights of Pythias was created during the civil war by President Abraham Lincoln. It was an underground organization conceived for the upholding of government, honoring the flag, for the reuniting of our brethren of the North and of the South, for teaching the people to love one another, and portraying the sanctity of the home and loved ones.

Turns out my Great Great Grandfather was kind of cool. "MEGA" REPOST

On Thursday August 6th, 2015 I created a post about my Great Great Grandfather's sword from the organization the Knights of Pythias (http://imgur.com/gallery/YYDXr). It was the only secret organization funded by the government (specifically President Abraham Lincoln) to keep peace between the North and the South just after the Civil War. In short, having uniformed members of the Union Army in the South after the Civil War would have caused a police state, tension and constant unrest. Instead the KoP was created (my Great Great Grand father a member, proof being the sword) to keep the peace using members of the Union Army dressed in civilian clothes.

Fast forward, Imgurians from all over have come to me with proof that their relatives we're also members of the Knights of Pythias. I have collected all of their images and information and compiled it into one mega KoP post.
Special Thanks to everyone who made their contributions: @smellymustache, @stratus41298, @pleaseconsider, @EdgarAllenPoo, @FluffyCatToots (for supporting @smellymustache), @DrowningNotWalking, @Beinghappyisdoingwhatyoulove, @ReinettePoisson, @WaxyNips, @NiteHamer, @SendMeYourStuff, @zephtato, @Ketaren, @SimonGGordon, @CaptainCornFlakes, @OmegaTengu, @DrJohnnyZoidberg, @HolyMolyBatman, @TwilightBarnOwl, @JohnCalvinAndThomasHobbes

KP Knights of Pythias

Midway down the shaft of the sword is a "K" intertwined with a "P" representing the Knights of Pythias.

J. M. Ferguson

J. M. Ferguson was the name of my great great Grandfather.

Samson

The man hunched over carrying a scroll which is symbolic Samson destroying his enemy's temple has a "F.C.B." above him which represents what the Knights of Pythias stood for "Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence”

The sword was only worn to charter meetings

The Order of Knights of Pythias was the first American Order ever chartered by an Act of the Congress of the United States. The man in the helmet with the lion on top signifies the highest rank (Knighthood). There were three steps to reach full Knighthood – Page, Esquire, and Knight. It is the same in reaching full Knighthood in the fraternity as well. The lion means leadership.

Edit: If you have a sword that is similar to this (or anything Knights of Pythias, news papers, buildings, etc.) pleases message them to me and I will repost them all in one big massive post!!! Enjoy!