Revolutionary War Bayonet recovered in 1947 at Fort Ticonderoga

This is another early piece coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War/Revolutionary War artifacts. Being offered is an American Revolutionary War socket bayonet. The overall length is 18 ½”, the socket has a 1” diameter, and the widest part of the blade is 1 1/8”. It weighs one-pound. This unique piece was recovered in 1947 at Fort Ticonderoga, NY during reconstruction.

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress required all military men to carry either a tomahawk or a cutting sword. Used throughout the French and Indian Wars and American Revolution, they were used by British and Colonial soldiers, as well as Indians.

Located on Lake Champlain in northeastern New York, Fort Ticonderoga served as a key point of access to both Canada and the Hudson River Valley during the French and Indian War. On May 10, 1775, Benedict Arnold joined Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont in a dawn attack on the fort, surprising and capturing the sleeping British garrison. Although it was a small-scale conflict, the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga was the first American victory of the Revolutionary War and would give the Continental Army much-needed artillery to be used in future battles.

The bayonet is in very nice condition with only slight surface rust, no chipping or flaking. This collection began in the late 1950s and was created by private acquisitions, closed museums, and from lake divers. The collector meticulously displayed and cataloged every piece along with its provenance. His markings were crude at the time, but now proved to be very important. Many of the pieces went through electrolysis to remove crusted rust.

This is the first time this bayonet has been on the open market, and it is truly a great piece of early American History. It definitely merits a place in an advanced collection or museum. As with all the pieces in this esteemed collection, a Certificate of Authenticity will be included.