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Lot 339      

Estimate $16,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $13,200

SABRE AND SCABBARD, a unique and extremely important presentation sabre with silver hilt and handle, 79cm blade by Wilkinson, London, HW stamped and recessed with a six pointed star, etched with scrolls and Queen Victoria crown, initials VR outside hilt, inside hilt design features the Southern Cross in blue enamel with PRO.ARIS.ET.FOCIS in red enamel around, emus and kangaroos in high relief to side. The figure of Britannia standing, holding a shield forms the handle. Silver scabbard with elaborate scroll overlays and suspension rings, base impressed W.Edwards/Manufacturer /Melbourne, emu to left, kangaroo to right, engraved 'Presented to/Captain William Radcliffe/Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Privates/of the/Carlton Rifles/Melbourne, Victoria/September 1864'; together with Victorian Rifle Association, gold medal (32mm, 13.8gms) with loop mount, suspender bars and ribbon, inscribed on obv. 'Victorian Rifle Association 1st Jany.1861' and on rev. 'Grand Match /between the thirty best /Victorian Volunteers /shooting at the match /10 rounds each 600 yards /Prize won by /Captain Radcliffe /Carlton Rifles /7 points'. In Walsh & Sons, Melbourne case of issue, outside of case inscribed 'Gold Medal /of the /Victorian Rifle Association First Meeting'. The sabre, scabbard and gold medal are of great historic importance to collectors of early Victorian/Australiana and therefore offers a unique opportunity to obtain these items. Fine/very fine. (3 items) $ Captain William Radcliffe, born 1831, he was the first unit commander of the Carlton Rifles in 1860. In December the same year he won the Governor Barkly prize at an intercompany rifle shooting competition. When the Victorian Rifle Association held its first shooting match at Emerald Hill (South Melbourne) 1861 he won the gold medal against the thirty best Victorian Volunteers. He was unit commander of the Carlton Rifles as a major 1870-1874. Died in Christchurch, New Zealand 3 March 1879. William Edwards, a silversmith by descent, born in England he arrived in Australia aboard the 'Blanche Moore' in July 1857. First listed in the directories at 129 Collins Street, Melbourne in 1859. He exhibited at the International Exhibition Melbourne 1861 and the International Colonial Exhibition Melbourne 1866, went into partnership with Alexander Kaul in 1873 opening retail premises as Edwards & Kaul, 1874 to c.1890 and manufacturing premises at 5 Collins Street West in 1876.