I hate to throw cold water an anyone's imagination but, with the exception of being manufactured by M.C. Lilley & Co. of Columbus, Ohio, I have a sword that EXACTLY matches the description given in this discussion, including the engraving and the cloth cover with leather case. I have original documentation that, without the slighest question, identifies it as a ceremonial sword from the Knights Templar. The crown surrounding the cross would be an identifying feature.

The one I have was the property of Sir Knight William C. Bond who celebrated fifty years of membership in the Knights Templar on 20 May 1949 in New Castle, Indiana. The program from the ceremony includes a photograph of him in ceremonial regalia clearly wearing the sword. The one I have has much of its decorations (other than the blade) in gold and includes an ivory grip. As I understand it, the gold and ivory indicated an advanced rank within the orgainzation, so that this one would clearly have ben manufactured after the date he joined in 1899. It does not seem unreasonable to me that they might have changed manufacturers at some point or possibly made use of more than one manufacxturer.