Lot 4437

Description

Turkish bayonet from Gallipoli, a rare quillback bladed M1903 WWI German contract made Turkish mauser 1890/1903 rifle pattern sword, hooked quillon guard doveshead hilt with solid wooden two rivet grip, a note on the blade reads, 'A Turkish bayonet with hooked quillion souveniered (sic) by Private Brophy, No.333'; also carved on wooden grip is 'ANZAC 18-11-15', as the note states, on one side of the handle is carved, 'No 333/Brophy' and on the other side, 'ANZAC/18/11/15'. Considerable rusting, blade broken and crudely repaired, otherwise very good and a relic from an historic battle site.

This bayonet was on display at the Swan Hill 'Private' Museum (Victoria) until the early 2000s when it was one of a number of artefacts auctioned after the museum closed.