Originally established in 1798, the Virginia Manufactory was a component of the State's private martial machinery, serving as manufacturer, armory, barracks and training ground for Virginia's "Public Guard", continuing the later functions after stopping production in 1822. When the clouds of war began to loom on the horizon, the Manufactory was brought back online, and it's extensive stocks of edged weapons used to equip the new Confederate Army. Measuring 40 inches overall, with a 35 inch, sharply curved double fuller blade, the sword is unmarked but fitted with the distinct punched-through sheet metal guard, wire wrapped hardwood grip and the smooth birds' head pommel seen on later production examples. Included is an iron scabbard with a shortened drag and a single frog stud. A similar blade is illustrated on page 105 of Confederate Edged Weapons by William Albaugh III.