Revolutionary War “Trench Spear”, recovered at Lake Champlain, NY

This is another rare piece coming out of a 60-year collection of the French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 artifacts. Being offered is a Revolutionary War “Trench Spear” measuring 7 ¼” x 1”. It was designed to take a long wooden pole. It was recovered many years ago at Lake Champlain. This area was called the Battle of Valcour Island.

Being there was a shortage of bayonets, the primary weapon for American troops when the war began were these types of spears. George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army at Cambridge, laying siege to Boston, ordered on July 14, 1775, that “the Commanding Officers in those parts of the Lines and Redoubts, where the Pikes are placed will order the Quarter Masters of Corps, to see the pikes greased twice a week, they are to be answerable also that the pikes are kept clean, and always ready and fit for service.”

Again, on July 23, 1775, Washington ordered that “the people employed to make spears, are desired by the General to make four dozen of them immediately, thirteen feet in length, and the wood part a good deal more substantial than those already made, particularly in the New Hampshire Lines, are ridiculously short and light, and can answer no sort of purpose, no more are therefore to be made on the same model.”

Valcour Island is on the western side of Lake Champlain between the present-day states of Vermont and New York. On October 11, 1776, the British fleet under the overall command of Guy Carleton traveled south on Lake Champlain from their supply base at St. John. Benedict Arnold was waiting in Valcour Bay, hidden from the British view until they rounded the island.

In the subsequent three-day battle, the British destroyed or captured 11 of the 15 Patriot boats. While a resounding tactical victory, the British were unable to capitalize on their control of Lake Champlain to capture Fort Ticonderoga. After a desultory probe, Carleton led his forces back to Canada for the winter.

There are examples of this piece in the “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution”, by Neumann and Kravic and in the Valley Forge Museum (see pictures).

This spear head is in nice condition, it has a rough surface, but no chipping or flaking … very solid. This is the first time this relic has been on the market, and it is truly a great piece of early American History. It comes in the glass top display case pictured. As with all the pieces in this collection, a Certificate of Authenticity will be included.