The following sword is one that I cannot identify. It appears to be a Militia or Society Sword, from the period of about 1870 to 1920.
The hilt crossguard, ferrule, and pommel are of brass and the grip appears to be pewter (shaped in a twist pattern); the cross-guard and langet are very similar to Ames-made militia swords of the 1850-1870 period. The cross-guard quillons have a framed scroll-like pattern; between the quillons on the - both sides - is a pattern which looks like an "eight-spoked wheel" flanked by a pattern resembling feathers or leaves; The langets are in the pattern of a shield. The pommel is separate from the grip and is attached to the blade by method of peening and deforming the blade tang; the pommel is in the likeness of a "knight's head" or "helm" with plume, visor, etc.

The blade is 27 1/2" long; blade cross-section is a narrow diamond shape ~ 1/8" to 3/16" in width. The blade is un-fullered; doubled edged but edges are flat, not sharpened. The sword is obviously intended for thrusting purposes as the tip is narrowed and sharp. Blade is unmarked, so maker is not immediately apparent.

The scabbard is 29 1/2" long, including drag. It is red-leather-covered sheet-rolled-steel; nickel-plated brass throat and drag; The drag is retained by one screw near the top, obverse. Tip of drag is an "acorn" pattern. Throat has two hanger ringlets and designs are some typycal Masonic symbols (eye, linked-rings, etc.).

Further thoughts -
The "eight-spoked wheel" has significance in most religions; it is an ancient symbol representing the cycle of life - often called the "Wheel of Law, Truth, and Life" - each spoke representing the "Noble Eight-fold Path" (the path consisting of the "right faith, values, speech, conduct, livelihood, endeavor, awareness, and meditation).
Wheat because it is sown, grown, and then harvested (reaped) is used to signify the cycle of "birth, life, and death, as well as re-birth."
Because of the similarity of these two symbols, I suspect this is a sword belonging to a secret society initiated after - possibly as a direct result of - the Civil War.