No idea at present, Merlin. I can't find anything on the makers. Well, I can find some stuff but nothing that helps dating it.
We have other bits and pieces from old town dumps & middens across the NQ Gulf Country, some in worse condition, but this one has the handle still intact so maybe not out in the weather as long as some others. Also no idea how long it may have been kept in a family before it was lost or thrown out.
Just seems a coincedent that we found it so near to Corbett's Grave.
I have no idea if either John or Patrick CORBETT had family. John was killed while out carting stuff to sell across the Gulf, Patrick had the stone cut in Townsville (I think, could heve been Cooktown) and carried it all the way out to where John was burried. So even if they had family it's likely they lived on the coast as well.
added;I supose I should put that here, might help, might not.
The blade has "Firth Brearley Stainless" stamped cross-wise on the blade, then "Maleham & Yeomans Sheffield England" along the blade, with the markings, V- a crown - R , above and what looks like a Maltese cross, > (sideways V) and a sideways M below the writing. I think somewhere in the those marks above and below the names have a clue to the date.
