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US Model 1852 Navy Officer's Sword, 1865 dated, no scabbard |
10usn1852nos/maitland110a
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This is an original regulation US Navy Officer's sword, presented in January 1865. Inscription on the blade implies both US Navy and Masonic connections and believe reads as follows, "Presented by 3 brothers [followed by the Masonic Grand Lodge symbol] / Boston Jany 1st 1865 to / __ MAITLAND U.S.N". This was very difficult to read/interpret but I am assuming this was a military lodge located in Boston, presenting a sword to ? Maitland by fellow lodge members for some unknown duty or service during the Civil War. That is significant. There were not many Maitlands in the US Navy during the Civil War, only three I can find in my research.
John Maitland enlisted in Cairo, Illinois on February 4, 1862 at the age of 32. He was born in Ireland and was a farmer by trade. He is listed as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, blue eyes, black hair, and light skinned. He was a Seaman aboard the USS Cairo, a Union ironclad.
The USS Cairo was sunk seven miles north of Vicksburg when she came under Confederate fire. "As the gunboat turned towards shore, disaster struck. Cairo was rocked by two explosions in quick succession which tore gaping holes in the ship's hull. Within twelve minutes the ironclad sank into six (6) fathoms (36 feet) of water without any loss of life. Cairo became the first ship in history to be sunk by an electrically detonated torpedo."
William Maitland, Pilot 2nd Class, was assigned to the armored steamer USS Juliet and was active during the seige of Vicksburg and the failed Red River Campaign. During the Red River Campaign - William Maitland volunteered to pilot the pump-boat (steamer) Champion No.5 at Deloges Bluff; during that engagement he was wounded eight times; he was later commended for bravery by Lieutenant-Commander S.L. Phelps in a report dated June 23, 1864, recommending his promotion to Pilot 1st Class.
I believe this to be the most noteworty and perhaps the best candidate to receive a sword presentation.
Edward J. Maitland, acting Ensign, 30 December, 1864. Honorably discharged 22 October, 1868. This could be John Maitland mentioned earlier.
The question is - Were any of these Maitland notables Masons? More research is needed. Nonetheless, this is a named Civil War-era US Model 1852 Navy officers sword and very desirable; a great piece of Civil War history.
The condition is only about fair with only parts of the ray-skin grip remaining; most of the decorative twisted-brass-wire remains. Brass furniture with USN on counter-guard. Blade has dark oxide coloration overall with scattered light pitting. Appears to have been sharpened at an earlier time.
Overall length is ~34-1/4"; blade length is ~28-7/8".
Unknown maker but could be a Horstmann product. Bank-edge of blade is marked, "IRON PROOF".
NOTE: No scabbard.
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