The toy soldier is a relic from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD in 1878. It has a companion piece in the Flagstaff Hill collection. The toy soldier is unpainted, but the style of uniform, and the weapons carried (a musket and a basket-handled cutlass), indicate it is a representation of the Napoleonic Wars period from the beginning of the nineteenth century. Mass-produced toy soldiers made of cast metal (lead or tin) became popular during the 1800s. Heyde of Germany manufactured silhouette-shaped flat toy soldiers early in the century. Mignot of France released three-dimensional solid figures and later around 1893 W. Britain, a toy company became known for its die-cast lead toy soldiers. These innovations were designed to make sets of toy soldiers more affordable for middle and lower-class children, extending the market beyond the intricately made and hand-crafted replicas that were the preserve of the rich in the eighteenth century. Wooden military figures, specially carved and unpainted ones, were therefore not particularly common at the time when the Loch Ard foundered on Victoria’s southwest coast. Mignot was the first to sell unpainted soldiers, leaving their customers to fill in the colours according to their own patriotic preferences. It is, therefore, possible the two figures in the Flagstaff Hill collection were part of a new set intended for sale, rather than part of a passenger’s existing collection. Loch Ard History: The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Lochard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Lochard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Lochard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Lochard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck, it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.The toy soldier represents a 19th-century child's interest in military history. The item is one of two toy soldiers recovered from the Loch Ard in Flagstaff Hill's collection. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulations of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collections of objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history, allowing us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.An unpainted, cream-coloured toy soldier, recovered from the Loch Ard. The figure wears a Napoleonic Wars-era uniform, a plumed helmet, a short jacket with tails, bib-front trousers with button closure, straps crossed at the front and back, and epaulettes. The figure is in marching posture with one foot extended forward, and is bearing a musket at the slope-arms position, with a sabre or cutlass slung behind. It is unable to stand on its own. There are reddish-brown and orange-brown stains on the head and body. The body has seams along both sides that are uneven at the lower leg. There is a hole in the back and the inside is hollow. The material has a rough texture.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch ard, toy soldier, napoleonic uniforms, military toy, moulded soldier

Green stone granite axehead highly sharpened and beautifully fashioned at one end with rough hewn markings over the body of the object. Axe has a "waist" mid section where handle would have been attached. Also evidence of extensive wear from use. This axehead was quarried at one of only two green stone granite sights in Australia both in Victoria. Scarring at one end of the axehead where it has been split from larger piece of granite.defence, food, preparation, green stone granite, axehead, mt camel, jaara jaara people, jaara, waisted, quarries, tree cutting, weapon making

The Lancaster bayonet was also issued as a side arm in New South Wales in the 1880;s to the Medical Corps.Volunteer Lancaster Sword Bayonet-A2. Australian bayonet 1880. Bayonet made of steel with brass hilt and pommel and leather handle. Scabbard leather with brass locket and chape.military, army, steel, soldiers, brass, weapon, bayonet, crimea war, armaments, leather, rifle

In 1862, the units of the Mounted Volunteer Corps in Victoria were formed into a single regiment known as the Victorian Volunteer Light Horse. This title changed again in 1863, to the Prince of Wales Victorian Volunteer Light Horse ( Hussars ). In 1870 a uniform was adopted that was based on the British 19th Hussars. Troops were based at various times at Geelong, Ballarat, Kyneton, Bendigo, Castlemaine and Dandenong, as well as metropolitan Melbourne. In 1885, most of the Cavalry were incorporated into a newly formed Victorian Mounted Rifles. (http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL/18070.001) "It is notified in the Gazette that Lieutenant Laurence Whyte, Ballarat troop Prince of Wales Light Horse, has been appointed captain, seniority to date from January 31. " (The Argus, 17 February 1883) "An official inspection of the P.W.L.H. took place in the Royal Park last evening by the colonel-commandant, assisted by Colonel Rede; Captain Medealf in command of the, troop. After bring exercised in field movements, a sword competition took place, toe first prize bring awarded to Trooper L. Whyte ; the "second to Sergeant Blight; the third, to Trooper Jenkins; and the fourth, to Trooper Orr, of Creswick. Major Sleep officiated as timekeeper. The colonel commandant complimented Captain Med-calf upon the efficiency of the troop, and officers and men afterwards dined together at Craig's hotel. (Ballarat Courier, 09 March 1877.)Silver coloured sword and scabbard with leather hand grip within the hilt. The sword was awarded to Trooper Whyte of the Prince of Wales Victorian Volunteer Light Horse (Ballarat) in 1877.. Engraved into handle "Ballarat Troop P.W.V.V.L.H Officers Trophy FIRST PRIZE WON BY Trooper Whyte AT SWORD Competition 8th March 1877" volunteer forces, sword, trooper whyte, prince of wales victorian volunteer light horse (ballarat), l. whyte, laurence whyte

The toy soldier is a relic from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD in 1878. It has a companion piece in the Flagstaff Hill collection. The toy soldier is unpainted, but the style of uniform, and the weapons carried (a musket and a basket-handled cutlass), indicate it is a representation of the Napoleonic Wars period from the beginning of the nineteenth century. Mass-produced toy soldiers made of cast metal (lead or tin) became popular during the 1800s. Heyde of Germany manufactured silhouette-shaped ‘flats’ early in the century; then Mignot of France released three-dimensional ‘solids’; and later (1893) Britain of England made ‘hollow cast’ figures. These innovations were designed to make sets of toy soldiers more affordable for middle and lower-class children, extending the market beyond the intricately made and hand-crafted replicas that were the preserve of the rich in the eighteenth century. Wooden military figures, specially carved and unpainted ones, were therefore not particularly common at the time when the LOCH ARD went down on Victoria’s southwest coast. Mignot was the first to sell unpainted soldiers, leaving their customers to fill in the colours according to their own patriotic preferences. If a similar attitude is assumed for the two virtually identical figures in the Flagstaff Hill collection, it is possible they were part of a new set intended for sale, rather than part of a passenger’s existing collection. A similarly light composite material of sawdust, glue and linseed oil (press-moulded onto a metal frame) was used by the German firm O & M Hausler to create toy soldiers, but this type of modelling was not commercialised until after 1912. The first heat-moulded plastic toy soldiers did not become available until after 1945.The toy soldier represents a 19th century child's interest in military history. The item is one of two toy soldiers recovered from the Loch Ard that are in Flagstaff Hill's collection. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collections objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.An unpainted replica or toy soldier, presented in a Napoleonic Wars era uniform. The moulded figure is in a standing posture and is bearing a musket at the slope-arms position, with a sabre or cutlass slung behind. It wears a plumed helmet, short-fronted coat with longer buttoned tails at the back, button-fastened bib-front trousers, a pair of crossed bandoliers, and tasselled shoulder epaulettes. The figure is a creamy colour with red-brown stains on the head and shoulder. There is a hole in the end of the musket. The model is detailed and sharp. It was recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard.Cataloguing numbers: “6599” on the rear of the left trouser leg “PWO 2308” on the sole of the left boot, (partially obscuring “R122” written in biro) “2218” on the sole of the right boot.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, loch ard, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, napoleonic uniform, toy soldier, replica soldier

The harpoon was picked up on Warrnambool's Lady Bay beach in about 1950's. The harpoon is significant for its connection to the early history of Warrnambool and district, when whaling was a form of food gathering for indigenous people and for the very early settlers.Harpoon, whaling tool. Metal rod with harrow head and flared out handle.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, whaling harpoon, harpoon

Rollin White was an American gunsmith who invented a single shot bored-through revolver cylinder that allowed paper cartridges to be loaded from the rear of a revolver's cylinder. Wen his patent expired the Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company started working on its own metallic cartridge revolvers. Thus, after having introduced its first rear-loading pistols in 1871 the (Colt House/Cloverleaf revolver) and the 1872 (Colt Open Top revolver), in 1873 Colt launched the Colt Peacemaker along with a new line of pocket revolvers, sorted in five different calibers (.22, .30, .32, .38, .41 cal). Since it was an entirely new line of revolvers this model was called the Colt New Line. Circa 1884-1886 (the .32 cal was only made during 1873-1884). Submerged by the company's competitors' cheaper imitations and refusing to introduce a lower quality among its own firearms to match its competitors, the Colt company dropped the line and ceased production.The Colt New Line was one of the first metallic cartridge rear-loading revolvers manufactured by Colt. It demonstrates the evolution of firearm production and development of firearms as manufacturers moved away from percussion muzzle-loading firearms to those that would accept cartridges. That incorporated the bullet, propellant and primer all within a brass cylinder allowing the projectile to be loaded directly into a pistols cylinder, or a rifle magazine. Pistol or handgun, Colt New Line revolver, single action five shot spur trigger. The rimfire revolver is .32 calibre. It has a black handle. There maker's name is impressed into the textured handle and the name and model is impressed onto the barrel. Made by Colt.Inscriptions on side of barrel and top "No 18842", "Colt New .32" . On top "Colt's FT.F.AMFG.CC Hartford.Ct.USA"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, revolver, colt, colt new line revolver, cartridge casing, cartridge, new line revolver, pistol, matalic cartridge, firearm, rollin white, new line, hand gun, single shot

Harpoon wooden handle, known as a Hand Lance or Killing Iron. Used to kill the whale after it was harpooned. Spliced piece of rope wound around spear head. Handle is tapered at throwing end and where handle joins metal spear.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, whaling, harpoon, fishing industry

Harpoon, Blubber Spade, used to cut blubber from whale carcass, Handle is tapered at both ends. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, harpoon, blubber spade, whaling, whaling harpoon

Somali fighting knives (made by natives) - Long knife (top; Scabbard for same (centre); short knife with wooden handle (lower).weapon, c ww2

A green shell that has a yellow ring in the middle and metal ring near the bottom. It sits on a crimson wooden stand.Inert Training Round Inert training rounds, such as this example, were used to train gun turret crews in handling and firing the 4.5 guns on HMAS Vendetta which served on the 'gunline' during the Vietnam war.shell, hmas vendetta

Olive green metal scabbard & fighting knife with ribbed handle from a Garand M1 Carbine.Long Tan 1966 on scabbard.u.s. fighting knife/bayonet, scabbard

Farmer's agricultural machete, forged blade with bamboo handle for clearing underbrush in front of bunkers for clear fire.machete

Montagnard Dagger, C 1964, souvenired by Major Ian McKeown, Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV). The Central Highlands emerged as a strategically important area during the Vietnam War, because it included the Ho Chi Minh trail, the North Vietnamese supply line for Viet Cong forces in the south. communists passing through the highlands had, however, to contend with the Montagnards who they called Thurong (highlanders). The Montagnards were a formidable opponent in their home terrain and were not adverse to using their traditional weapons when dispatching their enemies, particularly when maintaining silence was critical. On loan courtesy the collection of Ian McKeownWooden handle. Metal reinforcement both ends of handle. Metal curved blade with concaved tip.maj mckeown, aattv, australian army training team vietnam (aattv), montagnard dagger, montagnards

Wooden handled blade covered with wound string. Curved blade. Scabbard is wooden with wound string more as decorationnorth vietnamese, scabbard and sword

Montagnard Wooden handle blade with a wooden scabbard decorated with wound string. There is a red tassel attached to the scabbard.dagger scabbard, montagnard dagger, aattv, australian army training team vietnam (aattv)

Farquhar McCrae (1807-50) was born at Westbrook near Edinburgh, into a distinguished Scottish family. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh and graduated MD in 1827. After a sojourn in Paris he joined the staff of the general hospital at Chatham. Here he suffered an injury during a dissection, which impaired his health for the rest of his life. He was appointed curator of the museum at Chatham, and put together a notable collection of pathological specimens. In 1838 he sought to resign on the grounds of ill health, and was then offered a posting with the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons. But with his health still poor, he decided to emigrate to a kinder climate, and arrived in Melbourne aboard the barque Midlothian. McCrae set up practice in Bourke Street with his brother-in-law, David Thomas. Both were pioneers in the use of anæsthetics. McCrae was the first to introduce chloroform, Thomas ether. Sometime after 1841 McCrae moved to Sydney, where he was one of the first medical practitioners appointed to the staff of the Sydney Infirmary and Dispensary. He died in Sydney at the age of 43 years. The sword is a dress sword of the 6th Dragoons. Made by Henry Wilkinson of Pall Mall, it is 38 inches (96.5cm) long and has an elaborately engraved and highly polished steel blade. Being a ceremonial weapon, the blade is quite blunt, and the gilt guard bears the crown and monogram of Queen Victoria, which dates the sword to late 1837 or 1838. The grip is bound in snakeskin and the sword is carried in a leather scabbard with brass mounts. It remains as one of the important links to the pioneering days of Melbourne, and early medical practice in Australasia.Sword, ceremonial, steel with brass decoration and a steel handle, highly decorated, in a scabbard of patterned black leather covered metal, brass tipped, 100 cm long. It belonged to Farquhar McCrae.

Possession of POW at Camp13, Murchison. Formerly part of German paratroopers equipment/arms in WW2German paratroopers sidearm resembling large pocket knife with blade and retractable spike. Wood covereed metal shaft/handle riveted. Metal ring attached at spike end. Thumb guide towards unprotected blade.SMF Solingen Rostfreiarms, edged, weapons

WW1 1914-1918WW1 era 1914-1915 May have been made from weapons field produceBrass and enamel letter opener. The handle has enamel coloring of gold, white, black and brown stripes with the opener blade being brass. May relate to WW1 weapon produce used in its manufacture. ww1, letter opener hand made, circa 1914-1918

Knobkerrie are clubs used as weapons mainly in South and East Africa. The club end can be used to throw at an animal or to club an enemy's head in. Usually these would be carved from a protruding tree branch. The name is Afrikaans and comes from 'Knop', meaning knot or ball and 'Kierie', meaning cane.Accessioned into the museum collection in 1913 and donated by a Mrs Newcome, there is not much other information on its provenance. However, the museum collection holds several artefacts from this region of South Africa and much of it was collected during the Boer Wars of 1880-1881 and 1899-1902.A wooden club type object. It has a narrow cylindrical handle with a large wooden sphere at the top. The wood is shiny and smooth with a polished effect. The handle is 31.5cm long with a 2cm diameter and the head or knob has a height of 9.5cm and a circumference of 27cm.This would have been hand carved from a protruding tree branch. Towards the end of the handle is a 13.9cm section of zig-zag patterning. Further down towards the 'knob' there looks to be carved into the wood 'Jud'.knobkerrie, boer war, zulu, south africa, ethnography, weapon

WW2 Sword Donated by Mr Peter CottonWWII Sword metal with metal handle and hilt with clip that scures it in Scabbard when sheathed. Metal handle has xxx pattern. D shaped hilt. Refer 0063-02 (Scabbard)) Hilt extends out 3mm from the rear of the blade to protect the users hand and fingers.Number 74428 recorded on blade near handle.

Curved Sword Japanese Katana WWII blade Wooden handle, leather covered. Brass cap on top of handle with 'Wire" like clip. Circular metal hilt. Pattern on hilt. Refer also 0101 Scabbard.Pattern on hilt.

Wakizashi Japanese Sword curved, steel metal blade. Ivory or white plastic handle. Circular hilt cast metal . (Broken and piece missing from bottom.Two small bronze dragons taped to handle by flat woven cloth tape.Tip of handle covered by cap with dragons embossed. Refer also to 0106.2 Scabbard.Hilt has elaborate markings cap on handle has embossed dragon.