Hi Jim,
Thank you very much for your time and asistance. I had also researched the IOOOF angle, but I had not found a sword identical to this one, similar yes, but not identical. The data would also be at odds with the reported finding of the sword at a French Military School during WWII.
Could I trouble you for a scan of the image found in "The American Fraternal Sword" (Hamilton, Marino and Kaplan) KM174 (p.76)..?
I am like the proverbial St. Thomas, need to see the hard data myself to feel at ease. Not the least, it also means I was taken for a ride...
Once again, thank you kindly my friend.
Merry Xmas!
Manolo