The Home Council of the 2023 State Deputy
FR. Thomas F.B. Carroll Council 4566
of the
Knights of Columbus ​
(516) 284-9129
State Deputy S.K. Anthony Ippolito
203 Rockaway Ave.
Valley Stream, N.Y. 11580
(516) 900-5632
Anthony Ippolito
State Deputy
2023 - 2024
Fourth Degree - What is it?
On February 22, 1900, the first Fourth Degree exemplification or degree ceremony was held in New York City. The Fourth Degree imparts a lesson on the virtue of patriotism. The primary purpose of this degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism in members and the community at large and encourage active Catholic citizenship. Today there are some 300,000 Fourth Degree Knights out of the total 1.6 million member Knights of Columbus.
Local units, called assemblies, draw their members from Knights of Columbus councils. The qualifications for membership in the Fourth Degree are: membership in the Knights for at least one year and being a Third Degree Knight.
Local units, called assemblies, draw their members from Knights of Columbus councils. The qualifications for membership in the Fourth Degree are: membership in the Knights for at least one year and being a Third Degree Knight.
A Fourth Degree Knight may become part of the assembly's color corps. These members are recognized widely by their distinctive attire of tuxedo, feathered hat (chapeau), cape and sword. These members regularly take part in civic events such as parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, and at ecclesial functions at Catholic churches. The various colored capes and chapeau feathers denote different officer positions within the Fourth Degree.
History of the Sword
In 1900, Patriotism is added as the fourth principle of the Order. The 1st Exemplification of the Fourth Degree took place on February 2, 1900 at the Astor Hotel in New York, NY. 1,100 Third Degree members were exemplified. They had to have been members for 3 years.
The 2nd Exemplification of the Fourth Degree took place on May 8th in Boston, Massachusetts. 750 Third Degree members were exemplified.
Since that First Exemplification in 1900, there have been three major styles of swords with black grip. The first major type of sword had a Flying Eagle on the pommel (grip cap) and the Emblem of the Order on the Guard. This type of sword was made until at least the early 1930's but, I do not have an exact date. The sword blade was usually 28 inches in length with the overall length in the scabbard being 37 inches. You may click on any sword to see a larger more detailed picture.
The second major type of sword, dates back to mid to late 1930's and has the head of Christopher Columbus, the Order's patron, on the grip cap. The sword is worn hanging from the Service Baldric on the left hip and Columbus' head is facing forward. If you were looking at the front of the sword, Columbus' head is facing left.
The other change that was made is that the Triad Emblem of the Fourth Degree replaces the Emblem of the Order on the Guard. This type of sword appears to have been made through the late 1940's early 50's. These swords over the years seem to vary in length. The blades ranged between 26 and 27 1/2 inches with the sword grip and pommel adding another 6 inches. When in the scabbard they were between 35 and 37 inches in length. Most, if not all, of this type of sword were made by T.C. Gleason in Chicago Illinois.
The third major type of sword is the one that is still in use today and began to be manufactured sometime in the 1940' or 50's. The most identifying characteristic of this type of sword is the that Columbus' head on the pommel (grip cap) is now facing forward when you look at the front of the sword or facing right when the sword is worn on the service baldric.
The English Company and Lynch & Kelly are the two primary manufacturers of swords in the United states today. Also, the guard, while still displaying the Triad Emblem of the Fourth Degree, has varied over the years. There has been more and less detail in the triad as well as varying from a raised emblem to flatter style.
Again over the last 40 years the blade, sword, and total length have varied as with the second type of sword. Finally, the blades have varied in style as well. Sometime the blades are plain and others contain etching on the blade. Usually, the etching says Knights of Columbus on one side.
There are two other types of swords that you may see. Both of them have a white grip. The first is the same metal color as the swords with the black grip. The white grip indicates that the sword belonged to a Faithful Navigator and can be worn by either a current Faithful Navigator or Past Faithful Navigator. Most of these swords are of the etched blade variety and have the words Knights of Columbus etched on one side and the name of the Faithful Navigator on the other side - i.e. Mark E. Ripper, PFN.
I have only seen the white grip swords in the third major type with Columbus facing forward as you look at the front of the sword. Again, I do not have an exact date when they began to be manufactured. I personally, own the one used by our 2nd Faithful Navigator dating back to 1954.
The final type is a white grip sword, but plated in gold (not pictured). This sword is worn by current and former Masters, Vice-Supreme Masters, Supreme Masters.
The Sword Continued...
