AN IMPORTANT CEREMONIAL SWORD AWARDED TO SERGEANT STEELE FOR THE CAPTURE OF NED KELLY ON JUNE 28 1880

the ceromonial sword will be sold with the original 'Kelly Reward Board Report dated 1880-81' and a signed copy of the book by Ian Jones  'Ned The Exhibition' Old Melbourne Gaol 2001-2002

Private collection, U.K.

Robert Ross, Melbourne

Purchased at Malvern Arms and Armour sale  at Malvern Town Hall 1976 by present owner

some slight surface wear to blade consistent with age
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

LITERATURE
Norman Fay, 'Sword of the man who shot Ned Kelly', The Sun, 1 June 1976, p. 13

Ian Jones (ed.), Ned: The Exhibition, Network Creative Services, Pimlico, illus. p. 114

Justin Corfield, The Ned Kelly Encyclopaedia, Lothian Books, South Melbourne, 2003, p. 454

EXHIBITED
Ned: The Exhibition, Old Melbourne Gaol, 2001-02

This sword is a unique relic of the Kelly outbreak and of one of the saga's key players, Sgt Arthur Loftus Maule Steele (1837-1914), the man who shot and captured Ned Kelly at the Siege of Glenrowan.

Born in Tours, France, in 1837, the son of a property owner and landlord, the young Steele migrated to Victoria in 1854, enlisting with the Victorian police force in January 1857. As a Sergeant (second class), he was posted to command the Wangaratta police station in November 1876. Stock theft was rife at the time, and the squatters of the North Eastern District and their several Stock Preservation Societies were keen to see the cattle duffers and horse stealers caught and punished.

Not surprisingly, Steele soon became involved in an extended quest against the Kelly gang. He arrested Steve Hart in July 1877, and Ellen Kelly, 'Brickey' Williamson and William Skilling the following April. After the killing of Sgt Kennedy at Stringybark Creek in October 1878, Steele led numerous police parties in pursuit of the Gang, though on one notable occasion early in the search he failed to follow up a reliable reported sighting at Wangaratta, instead following prior orders to search elsewhere.

When he received news of the Siege during the night of 26 June 1880, Steele and four constables rode from Wangaratta to Glenrowan, arriving just before dawn, and providing timely reinforcements. It was Steele who finally brought the armoured Ned  Kelly down, with two shotgun blasts to the legs. Celebrating 'the fact that the country has been rid of the Kelly nightmare', the Melbourne Punch paid fulsome tribute to 'the bravery of Sergeant Steele. He was not fighting to save his neck from the gallows – he wore no armour – his hand never shook as he sent bullet after bullet true to its mark – and when he found that they fell harmless from the iron-plated breast and head, he, still cool of brain, sure of eye and steady of hand, aimed at the ruffian's legs and brought down his man at the first shot. Rushing upon him, fearless of his boasted skill, and his loaded revolver, Steele disarmed and secured the desperado.' (¹⁾

Steele was not, however, an unqualified hero, and remains something of a controversial figure. An official complaint against him in 1875 called him 'an unprincipled paltry policeman' ⁽²⁾, and a number of his constabulary colleagues were shocked by his aggression at Glenrowan, in particular his shooting at Mrs Reardon and her baby, and his expressed intent to kill Kelly as he lay wounded. Moreover, the 1881 Royal Commission into the circumstances of the Kelly Outbreak and the 'actions ...present state and organisation of the Police Force' formally censured Steele for not pursuing the Gang in November 1878, and recommended that he be demoted.

On the other hand, in December 1880 the Reward Board had granted Steele a premium of £290.13.9 for his part in Kelly's capture. He also clearly enjoyed the support of many members of the local community. This testimonial presentation sword was given to him by the Moyhu Stock Presentation Society (Moyhu is some 30 km. south of Wangaratta), and a crowded public meeting at St George's Hall, Wangaratta on 26 October 1881, received a petition of support signed by 345 local citizens. In the end, Steele retained his Sergeant's rank, and remained in the force at Wangaratta until his retirement in 1896.

(1)  Melbourne Punch, 1 July 1880, p. 9

(2)  Complaint of Patrick Connell, November 1875, Police Correspondence, Public Records Office, Victoria