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Scabbard for Lancaster Sappers and Miners Bayonet owned by James Conder
Scabbard for Lancaster Sappers and Miners Bayonet owned by James Conder

Scabbard for Lancaster Sappers and Miners Bayonet owned by James Conder

Subject or historical figure (1872 - 1954)
Datec 1855
Object number00005672
NameScabbard
MediumLeather, brass, copper
DimensionsOverall: 28 x 624 x 44 mm, 0.25 kg
Display Dimensions: 620 x 44 x 26 mm
ClassificationsArmament
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert Murphy
DescriptionThis scabbard houses a Lancaster (Sappers & Miners) Sword Bayonet, used with a carbine 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 RAN.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 Although superseded by improved weapons, bayonets such as this might have been retained for drill purposes until the 1890s.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 scabbard 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 scabbard is associated with the colonial Victorian Navy.