| Place | Africa: North Africa, Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, Tobruk |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL36475 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Edged weapon or club |
| Physical description | Brass, Cotton, Leather, Steel |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Italy |
| Date made | Unknown |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Italian Naval Officer's Dress Sword and Scabbard : Lance Bombardier C J Blinkhorn, 2/1 Field Regiment, RAA
Description
Italian Naval Officer's Dress Sword and Scabbard. The solid brass half basket guard has an Italian crown over a fouled anchor as a cartouche badge and a fold down clip to attach to the scabbard on the back edge. The brass backstrap pommel is a lion's head and mane and the grip is white leather bound with brass wire. The straight blade is etched for half the length with a floral pattern incorpoating trophies of arms and naval scenes. There is a gold and brown sword knot attached to the guard. The leather scabbard is mounted with an embossed brass locket with a single hanger.
History / Summary
This sword was collected at Tobruk by Lance Bombardier C J Blinkhorn, 2/1 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. Cecil Jack Blinkhorn was born in North Sydney in 1912 and was working as a plumber when he enlisted in the AIF on 25 October 1939. Gunner Blinkhorn embarked abaord HMT U5 in Sydney on 10 January 1940 with 2/1 Field Regiment, RAA and saw overseas service in the Middle East. Blinkhorn was discharged on 7 June 1943.