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Sword with scabbard presented to Sergeant Arthur Steele by grateful pastoralists following the capture of Ned Kelly
Object type
Swords
Object number
2008.0009.0001
Description
Steel sword of the pattern used by Royal Artillery officers. The sword is highly polished and the blade is decoratively etched. The blade is also inscribed 'Presented to Sergeant Steele, Victoria Police by the Moyhu Stock Protection Society as a testimony of the high esteem they entertain of his public services during the recent outbreak. Wangaratta 1880.'. The sword is fitted with a basket hilt, a wire-bound sharkskin grip, and the outfitter's name "J.W. Rosier / Melbourne" is on the ricasso. The sword is sheathed in a highly polished undecorated scabbard, which has two raised bands.
Collection name
Sergeant Arthur Steele collection
The collection consists of a ceremonial sword awarded to Sergeant Arthur Steele and a copy of the 1881 report by the government board which distributed the reward offered for the capture of the Kelly Gang. Also included is a copy of the catalogue to the Old Melbourne Gaol 2001 exhibition on Ned Kelly, signed by the author.
Sergeant Arthur Steele was one of the most prominent police officers involved in the pursuit of the Kelly Gang. It was Steele who finally shot Kelly at Glenrowan in June 1880, avoiding Kelly's armour by wounding the bushranger in the legs. Steele was also criticised for some of his actions, yet he received a sizeable portion of the official reward. The sword was given to Steele by local stockowners - those people who had the most to fear from the Kelly Gang - in gratitude for Steele's actions at Glenrowan. Given that the fundamental background to the Kelly outbreak was a land war beteeen squatters and selectors, the sword is powerfully symbolic of the economic and political battle that underlay the Kelly story.
Agents
J W Rosier, Gun Maker
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Recipient
Sergeant Arthur L. Steele
Sergeant Steele managed to bring down Ned Kelly by shooting him in his legs, which were not protected with armour like the rest of this body
Subject
Victoria Police
Subject
Moyhu Stock Protection Society
Subject
Edward 'Ned' Kelly
Place of event
Glenrowan, Victoria, Australia
Subject
Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia
Subject
Moyhu, Victoria, Australia
Date of event
28/06/1880
Ned Kelly was captured during the siege of the inn at Glenrowan, Victoria.
Materials
Nickel-plated steel, Animal material - non specific
Dimensions
Length: 990mm
Width: 103mm
Height: 120mm