This sword of the British Pattern of 1822/45 was sold to Maury by the Wilkinson sword cutlers of London, England. At the time he ordered the sword Maury was serving in England as the principal Confederate naval agent overseas (please read his full biography following). On the back of the blade, this sword is serial numbered "13243". This number allowed us to acquire its background from Wilkinson. They provided the following information: "The blade was etched on June 8, 1864, and the sword was assembled on June 18, 1864". The 32-inch blade is etched on both sides with intricate floral designs in a panel with “Maury C.S.A.” the reverse has the same intricate patterns and is etched, “Henry Wilkinson, Pall Mall, London,” on the ricasso. There is a script “C.S.A."  in a panel midway through the 20-inch-long etching. The sword has a brass mounted Gothic hilt conforming to the English pattern 1822/45 sword which was popular among British Marine officers. The guard with minor traces of gilt has the Royal Cipher, “VR” surmounted by the crown, the grip is fish skin wrapped with 3 strands of twisted copper wire. The scabbard is all brass. The condition is very good with the few expected dents from use. Otherwise, 100% intact the sword lacks one tiny screw at the scabbard throat. This sword was originally discovered in Georgia in 1980 by author and arms collector Mr. C. Huey. For a time, it was on display at VMI.

MAURY PATHFINDER OF THE SEAS: "A Virginian transplanted at a young age to Tennessee, Maury joined the navy after hearing an older brother’s sea stories. Always concerned about the lack of formal education for naval officers, Maury turned to science as a career path after a leg injury ended his hopes of command at sea. As head of the Depot of Charts and Instruments and superintendent of the new Naval Observatory, Maury applied navy resources to the development of science, particularly astronomy and hydrography. He was an early leader in the organization of meteorology and ocean science on the national and international levels. His efforts resulted in an expansive series of charts that not only shortened routes for mariners but also represented winds, currents, depths, temperatures, and even biological information in synoptic format. His book The Physical Geography of the Sea remained in print for decades, through numerous editions. His US navy career came to an end in 1861, when he resigned his commission at the start of the American Civil War to join the Confederate navy."

COMMANDER CSN: "Commissioned by Governor Letcher on April 23, 1861, as a commander in the Navy of Virginia, Maury was made a member of the Governor's executive council to prepare plans for defending the State in the shortest time. He assisted in fortifying Jamestown Island on the James River and Gloucester Point on the York to defend Richmond and sat with the council almost daily. After the Virginia Navy was consolidated with that of the Confederacy, Maury was made a commander in the Confederate States Navy. Appointed as chief of the Naval Bureau of Coast, Harbor, and River Defense, Maury worked in his residence at 1105 East Clay Street in Richmond on developing the first electrically controlled submarine mine "successfully used against an enemy in warfare," which eventually caused the loss of more vessels than from "all other causes whatever." He supported the raising and rebuilding of the Merrimac and personally led a night attack by small craft on Federal vessels in Hampton Roads. Conscious of the lack of a Navy by the South, Maury campaigned in the press for building one. As a consequence, demands grew for him to be appointed as Secretary of the Navy of the Confederate States. The end result was that in September 1862, Maury was ordered to England on "special service," partly because of the need for the Southern cause of a man of his stature in Europe and partly to banish him because of the jealousy of superior officials.

Arriving in England in November, Maury's activities included the purchase and fitting out of vessels for raiding Federal commerce, writing letters to newspapers, assisting in organizing a society for promoting the "cessation of hostilities," and drawing up petitions to the people of the United States for peace. He established relations with Emperor Napoleon III of France and Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who, on April 10, 1864, was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico, and devoted much time and attention to the development of mine warfare.

Sailing on May 2, 1865, to return home ready to assist in the war, Maury learned on reaching the West Indies of the collapse of the Confederacy and, on the advice of General Lee and other friends, decided not to return to Virginia. Instead, he sent a letter of surrender to the commander of the United States Forces in the Gulf of Mexico and went into voluntary exile in Mexico where he entered the service of Maximilian as Imperial Commissioner of Colonization. Maury's plan was to encourage Virginians to migrate to Mexico and to establish a new Virginia. On learning of the proposal, General Lee wrote Maury: "The thought of abandoning the country, and all that must be left in it, is abhorrent to my feelings, and I prefer to struggle for its restoration, and share its fate, rather than to give up all as lost." The plan did not win popular support and failed."

With the outbreak of peace Maury took a teaching position at The Virginia Military Institute. His contributions to science and technology continued until his death in 1873. We recommend these 2 links for further reading on this very special individual:

Scientist of the Seas: The Legacy of Matthew Fontaine Maury | Worlds Revealed.

MatthewMaury.pdf

The sword is worthy of the best collection or museum.   [pe] [ph:L]

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