Knights of the Golden Eagle were formed in Baltimore in 1872 and acted as a mutual aid society for members who were unemployed or seeking jobs. Lodges were called “castles” and members were ranked in three degrees: pilgrim, knight and crusader. By the 1900s they were concentrated in Pennsylvania and by 1920 their headquarters were in Philadelphia.
There were many fraternal organizations and secret societies in nineteenth-century America. Their role in society is interesting and their regalia and artifacts are a colorful collecting field.
German made blade engraved on both sides by SCHNITZLER. Scabbard is also beautifully engraved (light dent near the drag) Overall size 35.50” Blade 28”
