Parts of a Revolutionary War Brown Bess musket and ball, recovered at Battle of Edge Hill, Philadelphia (SOLD)

This is one of those relics and battlefield that you seldom come across, it is the brass side plate from a Brown Bess musket and a musket ball. They were found together years ago at the Battle of Edge Hill, Philadelphia.

The Battle of Edge Hill (December 7, 1777) was the final, intense skirmish of the broader Battle of White Marsh, where British forces under General Howe failed to draw Washington out of his strong, fortified, position near Philadelphia. After three days of skirmishing (Dec 5–8) and a failed, bloody flanking maneuver at Edge Hill, Howe withdrew to Philadelphia, leading to the Continental Army's winter camp at Valley Forge

The "Brown Bess" (officially the British Land Pattern Musket) was the primary .75 caliber smoothbore flintlock used by the British Army and many American Continental forces during the Revolutionary War. It was prized for its durability, fast loading (2–3 shots per minute), and massive knock-down power at close range, despite having an effective range of only about 100 yards.

Like I said, this is one of those relics that almost never show up. The Edge Hill battlefield also offers up very few artifacts. They come in the glass top display case pictured.

With the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding this year, interest in Revolutionary War relics is expected to significantly increase. This renewed enthusiasm will drive demand for virtually all Revolutionary War artifacts, further contributing to their scarcity and rising prices.

Already, I am witnessing a notable uptick in purchases of these items, which reflects the growing anticipation for the anniversary and the heightened value of Revolutionary War memorabilia.