Dress Code

OFFICIAL DRESS - MEMBERS

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.

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.

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.

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.