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Darren Sutton
Senior Member
Australia
21 Posts |
 Posted - 11/09/2007 : 3:15:42 PM
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Update on Joe’s Armour.
During July Heritage Victoria released a press statement with what were said to be the results of the testing of the piece of metal which I found at a forge site near Beechworth. In the press release it was stated by Heritage Victoria that the piece of metal which I submitted for testing was not a match metallurgically for the suit of armour worn by Joe Byrne. To say I was astounded at the findings would be an understatement. I was first told verbally by Heritage Vic. that the results were negative and they then sent me a copy of the results. I also have a copy of the testing done on Joe’s suit in 2003. When I looked at the results I was astounded to see a glaring error in the percentage calculations of the elements of the metal. The iron content alone was more than 100% plus other trace metals were present. You cannot have more than 100% or the sum total of an item. This immediately made me sceptical of the results. I then compared the tests done on Joe’s armour in 2003 and found that the part of the breastplate that was tested was right on the overlap of the front left and right breastplates where there is an obvious mark. ( you can see this mark in photo’s of the suit) This mark is believed to have been made by a bullet impact and most likely some time much later than the Glenrowan event. The reason given in the report by Heritage Vic. that the suit and the piece I found do not match is because Joe’s suit has a high level of lead and tin and my piece does not. My piece does not because it was never worn in a gun battle and was removed prior to Glenrowan. It was never hit by a bullet.
In addition to this they claim that Joe’s suit is cast steel and my piece is wrought iron. What an absolute load of rubbish. As well as the metal piece I have a chisel with a unique dimension that fits exactly the width of the chisel marks on the metal piece, a punch most likely used to put the holes in the metal for the rivets, a hand made rivet matching closely the type used on the suit plus other very exciting pieces which have been recovered from the site including possibly another piece removed when the armour was being made. Heritage Victoria have ignored all this.
What should have been done? The first thing that should have been done is to put the metal piece against the original suit worn by Joe. They and I have put it against the exact replica in the Benalla museum but Heritage Vic have not even suggested a comparison. Why not! They have also taken the test results at face value and run to the media without any question. They have also gagged me from talking to the media and forbidden me from showing anyone the test results. They can go to hell! What will be done. I have enlisted the help of a world renowned archaeologist and also a forensic odontologist. These guys are experts in matching metal items as well as other forms of forensic and investigative analysis. If they come up with the same result as Heritage Vic then I have to stand by their decision and analysis but......I am still unwaving in my absolute belief that the forge that I located and the metal piece plus other items were used by Charlie Knight and Tom Straughair when making Joe’s suit. I will release the details of the further investigation and testing when I have had the items returned to me by Heritage Vic and I can submit them for testing.
Darren Sutton
10/09/07
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kellycountry2000
Forum Admin
Australia
280 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2007 : 3:53:41 PM
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"They have also gagged me from talking to the media and forbidden me from showing anyone the test results"
How on earth have they gagged you ?
KC2000 |
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Darren Sutton
Senior Member
Australia
21 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2007 : 7:11:03 PM
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They have said that they want to control the media so that they can suck up to govt ministers for money to do an archaeological dig on the site. They have now said that they do not intend to dig up the site. When I mentioned that there are still a lot of relics still on the site they said just leave em!!!! They are a typical bunch of shiny #$@%& beaureacrats.
Cheers,
Darren |
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Darren Sutton
Senior Member
Australia
21 Posts |
Posted - 25/09/2007 : 9:33:34 PM
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A further update. The metal piece, blacksmith tools, complete mouldboard, and cut off 56 cal. rifle barrel have been returned after a fair bit of mucking around by Heritage Victoria. Now, 12 months later I will get my team of professionals to do the tests that should have been done in the first place. But first, a trip to Canberra to put my piece up against Joe's suit and photograph them together. More info when I have news in a couple of weeks.
Cheers,
Darren |
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bill denheld
Senior Member
Australia
46 Posts |
Posted - 26/09/2007 : 7:15:21 PM
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Good on you Darren,
As usual you seem to be being mucked around by politics. Ned would not have stood for that, and neither should you. One wonders what needs to be done to get a fair outcome. Not only that, but if as you indicate the conclusions are not properly assesed by the experts and the outcome only based upon scant metal comparisons, we hope you are able to prove them wrong.
All members of this forum are behind you I am sure, but it would be good if some members sitting on the fence reading this input could sign in with a nod of approval or their opinion.
Bill
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Joe.D
Advanced Member
Australia
207 Posts |
Posted - 26/09/2007 : 8:51:01 PM
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Greetings all,
Well said Bill ;-)
Darren stick by your guns mate! & go for it. I'm sure I speak for one & all... when I say looking forward to your return trip from canberra with the results.
speak soon
Joe.D |
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Darren Sutton
Senior Member
Australia
21 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2007 : 5:13:38 PM
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Thanks for the support everyone. I have a lot of work to do on this but can say that there are a number of other items that need very close investigation. Possibly more pieces cut from the armour as well as the tools that cut them off. I have also recovered a rivet that is very similar to those on Joe's suit as well as a rivet punch of similar dimension. There are a number of other of very interesting items which I will reveal at a later date to all.
Cheers,
Darren |
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Topic |
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Update on Joe’s Armour.