The official dress for a member of the Fourth Degree is: black
tuxedo; plain white tuxedo shirt; black tie; black shoes; black
sacks; black cummerbund or black vest and the social baldric
(worn under the coat, from right shoulder to left hip). A member
serving the ARMED FORCES of his country is in proper attire when
dressed in military dress uniform.
A Fourth Degree pin and/or American Flag may or may not be worn
on the lapel. The
size shall be the same as that approved by the Supreme Council.
A name tag, that slips into the coat pocket, should be worn. The
name tag should conform to present specifications.
When a Fourth Degree member attends an official function of the
Order where Fourth Degree dress is required, he may wear the
jewel of his office around his neck, be it Fourth Degree or
Third Degree, together with the Social Baldric. A Past State
Deputy, Past Grand Knight, Former Faithful Navigator, Former
Vice Supreme Master, Former Master or Former District Deputy may
wear the miniature jewel of these offices (obtained from the
Supreme Council Supply) on the left breast pocket of his
jacket.
In other words, a member will wear a jewel around his neck ONLY
if he is presently in office.
Only articles listed above are to be worn, nothing else.
OFFICIAL DRESS - COLOR CORPS/HONOR GUARD
The official dress when serving in a Color Corps or Honor Guard
is the same as the official dress of a member, with the
following differences: Black Chapeau with a white plume or the
color of the office as set forth together with a Fourth Degree
patch on the right side; black cape with red lining or the color
of the office as set Forth together with a Fourth Degree patch
on the left shoulder; white gloves; service baldric, together
with a sword, worn over the coat from the right shoulder to the
left hip. The same rules regarding the wearing of jewels of
office apply. When a sword is not permitted for any reason, the
service baldric shall be worn nevertheless. Color bearers wear a
color harness and service baldric, but no sword; gloves are not
worn when a sword is not carried. NAME TAGS WILL NOT BE WORN.
POSITION OF THE SCABBARD
With the sword in or out of the scabbard, the left thumb,
forefinger and second finger are used to control and prevent the
swing of the scabbard and should lightly grasp the body of the
scabbard with the arm hanging straight down the side without
stiffness.
DRAW SWORD
At the command, grasp the upper band off the scabbard with the
entire left hand and tilt the scabbard mouth forward until the
scabbard is at an angle of 45 degrees with the ground.
Simultaneously press the left hand lightly against the left hip.
With the right hand, reach across the body and grasp the grip of
the sword and withdraw the sword completely from the scabbard.
As the point clears the mouth of the scabbard, release the
scabbard with the left hand and with the thumb, forefinger and
second finger grasp the point of the sword. Lower the right hand
down and across the body firmly holding the grip off the sword.
With the left hand still holding the point of the sword, raise
the point of the sword upward and across the body guiding the
sword to the point of the right shoulder, blade flat against the
shoulder. As soon as the sword is in a vertical position and at
the right shoulder, release the grip of the left hand and return
to the position of attention.
RETURN SWORD
At the command, reach across the body with the left hand and
grasp the point of the sword. While guiding the point of the
sword with the left hand, raise the right hand, vertically,
while concurrently rolling the right hand to effect a downward
movement of the point of the sword in the direction of the
scabbard mouth. The right arm should be horizontal and
approximately at face level. The point of the sword should be
inserted into the mouth off the scabbard, the left hand lowered
to grasp the scabbard and the sword smarty returned to the
scabbard. The hands return to the attention position.
CARRY SWORD
At the command, raise the sword vertically to the front right
side, the flat of the blade against the point of the shoulder,
the guard flange facing away from the body, arm nearly extended,
elbow back, and grip clasped easily between the first and second
fingers and the thumb, with third and fourth fingers back of the
grip.
PRESENT SWORD
At the command, raise and move the sword to the front, base of
the hilt as high as, and three inches in front of, the chin,
guard flange to the front, point six inches farther to the front
than the hilt, thumb extended on the left of the grip, all
fingers grasping the grip, right elbow resting against the
breast.
ARCH SWORD
At the command each color corps member will assume the position
of "arch sword" by extending
his right arm, hand and sword outward and upward at a 45 degree
angle, palm upwards, guard flange down, flat of the blade down,
all fingers holding the grip of the sword. From this position
only, present sword may be given.
SITTING WITH THE
SWORD
When the command is given to sit, grasp the upper band of the
scabbard with the left hand and carry the sword and scabbard
forward and across the lap. As you are seated the sword will
then rest in the scabbard with the body of the scabbard at an
angle across the lap, with the foot of the scabbard pointed
toward the right front. When returning to the standing position,
retain the grasp
on the scabbard until fully standing, then return the scabbard
and sword to the correct position on
the left side. This will prevent the scabbard striking the seats
or pews and will afford the Knight control of the scabbard.
REMOVING THE CHAPEAUX
At the command, each Sir Knight will, with
his
right hand, grasp the visor of the chapeau with the
thumb under the visor and the four fingers on top of the
visor, keeping the right elbow as close to
the body as possible. Each Sir Knight will remove the chapeau by
removing it from the head and bringing the chapeau to a position
over the left breast. When seated for an extended period, the
commander may order the chapeaux placed in the lap.
