French & Indian War Grapeshot, recovered at Ft. Oswego, NY (SOLD)

Being offered is a French and Indian War artillery grapeshot, having a 1.55” diameter and weighing ten ounces. These exploding shells were used by both sides during the war (see pictures). This ball would be part of a canister shell, which when fired was like a shotgun blast (see pictures). It was recovered many years ago from the fighting at Fort Oswego, NY (see pictures).

As the French & Indian War began (1754 – 1763), Fort Oswego was strengthened by General William Shirley and garrisoned with some 1700 British regular and colonial troops. General Shirley also built Fort Ontario on the other side of the river and Fort George on the same side of the river. Fort Oswego was the strongest of the three British forts and had the largest garrison.

The French under command of Louis-Joseph de Montcalm assembled a force of some 3000 soldiers and Indians and attacked Fort Ontario from the lake and succeeded in driving the defenders off on 13 Aug 1756. The British commander was killed by a French cannon shell on 14 Aug 1756 and the second in command surrendered the garrison. The French took away some 1700 prisoners, 121 cannons, and destroyed what they couldn't take with them. The three forts were left in ruins. The British did not reoccupy Oswego until 1758, and they did not rebuild the fortifications.

During the War of 1812 Oswego, New York was an important forwarding point on the supply route to American military operations on Lake Ontario. Fort Ontario, which guarded Oswego, turned away one attack in 1813 but fell to a powerful British fleet with 1,000 troops on May 6th, 1814.

The ball 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, and from lake divers. The collector meticulously displayed and cataloged every piece along with its provenance. Fort Oswego played an important role in early American history. It comes in the acrylic display case pictured.

Revolutionary War and French & Indian War artifacts have always been hard to find. With the upcoming of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding next year, there will be a revitalized interest. Just about all Revolutionary War relics and artifacts will be in demand, which will only add to their scarcity and price.