Revolutionary War soldier-made “Buzzer”, recovered at Yorktown, VA

This is another interesting piece being offered; it is a Revolutionary War soldier-carved lead disc, made from melted bullets. It has a diameter of 1 1/2” and there is a hole punched in the center and the circumference has tiny notches. Buzzers are button-like whirligigs that make a sound which can be modulated by how quickly it is spinning and by the tightness of the string.

The object is whirled by alternately pulling and releasing the tension on the cord. The whirling object makes a buzzing or humming sound, giving the device its common name. This piece was recovered at a Revolutionary War site in Yorktown, Virginia.

The Battle of Yorktown and the surrender began September 28, 1781, and ended on October 19, 1781, at exactly 10:30 am in Yorktown, Virginia. It was a decisive victory by a combined force of the American Continental Army troops led by General George Washington with support from the Marquis de Lafayette and French Army troops.

These types of carvings were popular with soldiers for centuries, it was a favorite pastime to take their minds off of the fighting. There are examples in “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution”, by Neumann & Kravic (see pictures).  It comes in the glass top display case pictured.