Captain Robert Fitzroy brought Charles Darwin with him as a companion on the famous voyage of the R.M.S. Beagle. But later Fitzroy deeply regretted the decision. A defender of the Genesis account of origins, Fitzroy publicly opposed Darwin’s Theory. In many respects Fitzroy was a better naturalist than Darwin. Unlike Darwin, he properly labelled and identified the specimens he collected. In later years Fitzroy wrote an extensive treatise defending the Biblical account of earth history, and he formally confronted Thomas Huxley during the most famous debate of the 19th century when he addressed the audience and urged them to believe God’s Word over the vain speculations of man.

Now you could own Captain Fitzroy’s sword that he carried on the voyage of the HMS Beagle. Here is the auction notice that was sent out via an email that includes some historical background on the sword and Fitzroy:

TO BE AUCTIONED

2nd December 2009

Bosleys Military Auctioneers & Valuers

Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 2BS

01628 488188

Website www.bosleys.co.uk

A fine and interesting presentation sword, presented by Lord Hardinge, Governor-General of India, to Admiral Robert Fitzroy, Captain of the ‘Beagle’ on Charles Darwin’s legendary voyage of discovery.

The 80cm wide flat solid blade perhaps imitating an Indian tulwar blade with the proof mark of Henry Wilkinson of London struck under the langet, the blade is un-numbered and undecorated except for the short presentation inscription ‘Robert Fitz Roy from Lord Hardinge’, etched within an ornate eastern style cartouche; on the reverse side of the blade a similar cartouche is filled with a long inscription in Persian incorporating the date 1847, the cartouche and inscription in heavy gold overlay, the hilt of Indian make of mameluke style and although now lightly patinated would appear to be of watered steel, with the typical open panels which would display this, the hilt is decorated with fine quality intricate gold koftghari floral borders, the quillons with sprays of flowers, no provision for a sword knot, contained in its fine quality black leather scabbard with three large copper gilt mounts, the top locket with opposing hanging rings, the centre mount with a single ring, and bottom chape, all of which are covered with deeply chased sprays of acorns and oak leaves, the bottom chape additionally chased with a seashell and intwined dolphins, the locket back with applied embossed shield with makers details ‘Henry Wilkinson gun & sword maker Pall Mall London’, minor staining to blade, a little wear to highlights of gold koftghari, some wear to gilding of scabbard mounts and scabbard stitching fragile, but overall in good condition.

Footnote

The Persian inscription on this blade is dated 1264 in the Hijra calendar, which equates to 1847 in the Christian calendar; it is also dated using the arabic numbers for 1847, a most unusual practice. The Persian inscription literally translates as follows:

‘The blade of this sword will shine if it is used for the right cause. With the wrong cause, it will rust and the rust will become its scabbard’.