This unique and attractive knife was manufactured by Thomas Short Jr. of Sheffield, England likely around the mid-late 19th century. It measures 11 5/8 inches overall with a 7 1/4 inch drop point blade that is etched on the left with floral patterns and the slogan "FOR Australia" in a banner, indicating that this knife may have been made to take advantage of the booming knife markets created by one of Australia's many gold rushes. The left ricasso is marked "THO. SHORT JUN/SHEFFIELD", much of which is obfuscated. The guard is German silver and cast with a relief steer head on each side and the pommel is the classic coffin shaped half-horse half-alligator, between which is a small, smooth pearl grip scale on each side. A very similar example by Short Jr. is pictured on p. 239 of "The Antique Bowie Knife Book" by Adams, Voyles, and Moss. Includes a plain leather sheath.

Good, the blade mostly a smooth grey patina with some scattered patches of light-minor pitting and the etching somewhat light. The German silver shows an attractively aged patina overall and the grip scales have a few scattered hairline age cracks. The sheath is fine with mild wear.