Bushranger's pistol stolen from Tas museum

BUSHRANGER Martin Cash has become a victim of crime himself.

A pistol believed to have belonged to Cash has been stolen in a smash-and-grab raid on a Tasmanian museum.

The six-shooter and another pistol dating from the 1860s were stolen early on Friday from Launceston's Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.

Police say the thieves smashed their way into the museum, setting off an alarm at about 4.30am (AEST).

They then smashed the display cases containing the valuable pieces and made their getaway.

Irish-born Cash was Tasmania's most notorious bushranger, roaming the island in the 1840s after his escape from the penal settlement at Port Arthur.

His sentence to hang was commuted to life imprisonment but he eventually died a free man in Hobart in 1877.

"He's Tasmania's version of Ned Kelly," museum operator Launceston City Council's Robert Dobrzynski told AAP.

Police said the thieves may have been under the misapprehension they could use the weapons, but a knowledge of 19th century gunpowder techniques would be needed to make them work.

Mr Dobrzynski said the pistols were insured, but would not reveal their dollar value in the hope they will be returned.

"Obviously, their historic value is far more significant," he said.

"We're hopeful the people will become aware of the fact that the theft doesn't present any opportunity for them and they return the pieces and we can all move on with our lives."

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