Mannlicher Model 1905 Pistol : Brigade Major K A McKenzie, 4 Light Horse Brigade, AIF

Mannlicher Model 1905 semi-automatic pistol. Solid frame with a top slide and an exposed hammer. Left side marked SYSTEM MANNLICHER Md1905 WAFFENFABRIK STEYR. Two piece vertical ribbed wood grips held to the frame with a single bolt and square lanyard slot on the butt. Some rust pitting on the left side of the barrel and front frame. The right hand side has a hammer stop safety lever.

This pistol was captured from a Turkish officer by Brigade Major Kenneth Alan McKenzie of 4th Light Horse Brigade during the brigade's successful charge at the Turkish defenders of the town of Beersheba, in Palestine, on 31 October 1917, on the first day of the 3rd Battle of Gaza.

Born in Geelong, Victoria in 1893, McKenzie was a professional army officer who graduated as a lieutenant from the Royal Military College, Duntroon on 3 November 1914. He joined the AIF eight days later and was posted to A Squadron, 9th Light Horse Regiment. After training in Egypt McKenzie landed with his regiment on Gallipoli on 22 May 1915. He took part in actions at Russell's Top, Hill 60 and Rhododendron Spur. In August he transferred to 3 Light horse Brigade Headquarters. He was promoted to captain in September. McKenzie rejoined 9th Light Horse Regiment on 19 October, shortly before leaving Gallipoli on 10 November. In March 1916 McKenzie was promoted to major. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry and devotion to duty at the Battle of Magdhaba in December 1916. McKenzie left 9th Light Horse Regiment in April 1917, when he was appointed brigade major of the 4th Brigade. On 3 October 1918 he was posted to the headquarters of the Desert Mounted Corps.

McKenzie returned to Australia in May 1919. He remained in the Army Staff Corps as a career officer, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1937. He was appointed to 1 Cavalry Division between 1937 and 1939, then to Headquarters 1 Division in 1939, before being appointed second in command at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1940. Promoted to temporary colonel at the end of 1940 he served as Director of Military Operations at Army Headquarters until 1942 when he was appointed commander of the Cavalry Brigade (Mounted) with the rank of temporary brigadier. He was appointed Deputy Adjutant and Quartermaster General of 3 Australian Corps in January 1943. McKenzie retired from the army in 1947. He died the following year.