British Axe Head with "Broad Arrow" from the French & Indian War, recovered 1943 at Lake George, NY (ON LAYWAY,MW)

This is another rare piece coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War/Revolutionary War artifacts. Being offered is a Revolution War large British iron axe head that weighs 3 pounds, 2 ounces and measures 6” x 5” x 2 ¼”. This axe has the rare stamped “broad arrow”, indicating British manufacture. It was recovered in 1943 at Lake George, New York.

These axes were a necessity, especially in thick wooded areas. With the artillery, there had to be an open area to get caissons and cannons through and a clearing for firing. In “Soldiers of the American Revolution” by Don Troiani, there is a picture of one of these British axe heads (see pictures).

The Battle of Lake George was fought on September 8, 1755. British forces of 1,500 soldiers and 200 Mohawk Indians under the command of William Johnson defeated a much larger allied French and Indian force of 3,500 under German General Baron Dieskau.

In June 1759, British General Jeffrey Amherst arrived in Lake George and soon proceeded to build a new fort at the lake. The site was the high ground east of the ruins of Fort William Henry, which had been destroyed by the French in 1757.

Having the “broad arrow” has always made any particular item more valuable and desirable. In this entire collection, there were only a handful of broad arrow marked pieces. Even Don Troiani, with his massive collection, chose to put one of these broad arrow marked axes in his book. Also, there are also similar axes in “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution”, by Neumann and Kravic (see pictures).

Overall, this axe is very solid, indicative of an early recovery. 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. Many of the items went through electrolysis to remove the crusted rust.

This is the first time this axe 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.