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Lancaster Sapper's & Miner's Sword Bayonet
Lancaster Sapper's & Miner's Sword Bayonet

Lancaster Sapper's & Miner's Sword Bayonet

Subject or historical figure (1872 - 1954)
Datec 1855
Object number00005671
NameBayonet
MediumSteel, brass, leather
DimensionsOverall: 25 x 737 x 108 mm, 0.65 kg
Display Dimensions: 733 x 107 mm
ClassificationsArmament
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert Murphy
DescriptionThe Lancaster (Sappers & Miners) Carbine was adopted by the British in 1855. The rifles and their bayonets were popular with the Volunteer and Rifle Club movement. There is some evidence that Victorian volunteer defence forces were issued with these guns. This bayonet belonged to James Conder, who served in the Victorian colonial Navy and later the Royal Australian Navy.HistoryThe Lancaster (Sappers & Miners) Carbine was adopted by the British in 1855. The rifles and their bayonets were popular with the Volunteer and Rifle Club movement, for which a reduced bore version was sometimes produced. There is some evidence that Victorian volunteer defence forces were issued with Lancaster (Sappers and Miners) carbines, but no evidence of their naval use. It is possible that the carbines formed part of the small arms carried on the HMVS CERBERUS, an early breastwork monitor used by the colonial Victorian Navy. Although superseded by improved weapons, bayonets such as this might have been retained for drill purposes until the 1890s. This particular bayonet belonged to James Conder, who served in the Victorian Colonial Navy and later the RAN. During his career, Conder crewed many significant naval ships, including the HMAS KATOOMBA, HMAS CHALLENGER, and HMAS PSYCHE.SignificanceThis bayonet is associated with the colonial Victorian Navy.