Revolutionary War Soldier’s “Ice Creeper”, recovered many years ago at Ft. Ticonderoga, NY

This is another nice early piece coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 artifacts. Being offered is a Revolutionary War Revolutionary War soldier’s ice creeper, circa 1740 – 1790. It is hand-forged of iron and measures 3 ¼” x 2 ½” x 1 ½”. Soldiers used ice creepers for walking in the ice & snow, especially during the winter camps in upstate New York. It was recovered years ago at Fort Ticonderoga, NY.

The fort, formerly Fort Carillon, is a large 18th-century star fort built by the French at a narrows near the south end of Lake Champlain, in northern New York. It was constructed by Canadian-born French military engineer Michel Chartier de Lotbinière, Marquis de Lotbinière between October 1755 and 1757, during the action in the "North American theater" of the Seven Years' War, often referred to in the US as the French and Indian War. The fort was of strategic importance during the 18th-century colonial conflicts between Great Britain and France, and again played an important role during the Revolutionary War.

In the “Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution”, by Neumann and Kravic, there are several of these ice creepers. He states, “Because of the rough country in America, waterways were a much-used means of travel” (see pictures).  In the Revolutionary War Museum in Yorktown, VA there are examples of these ice creepers (see pictures).

This artifact remains in very nice condition, having some overall roughness, but no chipping or flaking. This collection began in the late 1950s and was created by private acquisitions, closed museums, diggers, 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 they have proved to be very significant. Many of the pieces went through electrolysis to remove crusted rust.

This is the first time it 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.