Rapier, Sword, or Masonic?

[VernBorg]

Hello everyone, I’m looking for help identifying this item.
Total length: 94 cm
Blade length: 75 cm
Crossguard width: 16.5 cm
There is also a marking (a number or letter, but I can’t make it out) located before the engraved section. Thank you for your help!

[Bob A]

I'd go with Masonic - or at least some fraternal org. Certainly not made for combat.

[werecow]

The V shape brings to mind the ruler in the freemason symbol:

[werecow]

Also relevant:

Behind the Masonic Symbol: The Hourglass

Ohio Freemasons first encounter the Hourglass during the lecture of the third degree, where it is explained to be an emblem of human life. It represents the continuous passing of time and serves as a reminder that life is finite. Additionally, the two containers of the hourglass are an analogy on their own: that the need to flip the hourglass signifies the cycle between life and death. It also denotes the notion that we must be able to reverse our perceptions, attitudes, and actions at times for us to move forward.

The skull I think is a "memento mori". I found the one below on etsy listed as "Masonic Memento Mori Hourglass Relic".

[Hotspur]

Doubting Thomas here.

My money is on German/continental styles and academia or late 19th century civil. Imperial Germany flavors there. The guard design is nothing I have seen in the American fraternal lore and that ain't a compass and square.

That's my thoughts and I'm sticking to it.



Glen

[Hotspur]

Originally Posted by werecow

Also relevant:

Behind the Masonic Symbol: The Hourglass





The skull I think is a "memento mori". I found the one below on etsy listed as "Masonic Memento Mori Hourglass Relic".

Great catch Looks like it. There were German masons I've 20th century German dagger files.