Item Report
Shriners Brass Scimitar Letter Opener
By: Unknown (likely made as a commemorative or souvenir piece)
Style: Fraternal Order Memorabilia, Early to Mid 20th Century
Origin: United States
Materials: Brass (including a likely spent bullet casing for the handle)
Age: c. 1940-1970
Condition: Very Good (minor surface wear, engraving and emblem are crisp, good patina, no bends or dents visible)
Value: $20-$50
Maker's Marks / Writing: SHRINERS (engraved on the blade), Shriners emblem (embossed on bullet casing)
Date: 2025-06-03 20:24:36.197918
Description:
This is a brass letter opener shaped like a scimitar, featuring details associated with the Shriners fraternal organization. The handle is fashioned from a spent bullet casing, with a brass medallion displaying the Shriners emblem, while the blade has a traditional Middle-Eastern curve and is engraved with the word 'SHRINERS' and includes a star cutout, also a Shriners symbol.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A charming piece of fraternal memorabilia, this letter opener is a collectible item associated with the Shriners. Made from brass and incorporating a bullet casing, it represents both the creative reuse of materials and the decorative motifs important to Shriners iconography. Such pieces were often made as souvenirs, ceremonial desk items, or gifts. While not extremely rare, it is desirable among themed collectors, especially in well-preserved condition.
Individual Images:
- There is a clear depiction of the bullet casing as part of the handle
- with a well-cast Shriners logo—an important detail confirming mid-century manufacture techniques and authenticity. The blade's engraved 'SHRINERS' and star-shaped cutout are sharply defined
- indicating relatively light use.
Provenance:
No provenance documentation submitted
Condition:
Very Good (minor surface wear, engraving and emblem are crisp, good patina, no bends or dents visible)
Identification Score: 95%
Distinctive features, such as the scimitar shape, star motif, and the Shriners emblem on the handle, make this piece easily attributable to the Shriners and likely a mid-century letter opener from the United States.
Authenticity Score: 92%
The construction, patina, and engraving are consistent with genuine mid-20th-century commemorative office items. The use of an actual bullet casing adds period authenticity, though reproductions exist.
Image Memory Note
Keywords
Shriners, letter opener, brass, fraternal order, scimitar, mid-century, memorabilia
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