RARE - Revolutionary War Bar Shot recovered many years ago at Fort Ont ario (SOLD,LF)

This is another nice early piece coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War/Revolutionary War artillery. Being offered is a Revolutionary War rare smaller size American Bar Shot. It measures 7 ½” overall, weighs 4 pounds, 2 ounces and has a diameter of 2 ½” – it would have been fired from a 3-pounder cannon. It was recovered from Ft. Ontario, NY.

Bar shot could vary somewhat in the shape of the ends or the contour of the connecting rod. This style uses a substantial round bar that slightly flares out at the ends. Whatever the particular form, the intent was the same: to introduce some instability in flight, particularly after it first hit something, which would cause the projectile to cut a wide path, a thing particularly desirable when firing at the complex and vital rigging of sailing ships.

Fort Ontario saw action in the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. It was built by the British in 1755. Called "The Fort of the Six Nations," or "Fort Ontario," it was destroyed by the French under the Marquis de Montcalm in August 1756.

On July 25, 1777, St. Leger landed at Fort Ontario. The next day, he would begin his invasion toward Albany with a British force of about 1,600 men, half of which were Indian allies, and the other half were British regulars and Canadian volunteers.

At the end of August, St. Leger returned in retreat to Fort Ontario with about half of his forces. The Indians had abandoned his ranks after hearing rumors that an overwhelming American relief force was approaching Fort Stanwix. After the failure of Burgoyne’s three-pronged invasion, the British abandoned Fort Ontario. In 1778 the second Fort Ontario was destroyed by American troops based at Fort Stanwix.

There was a very similar bar shot recently sold, measuring a couple inches longer than this one – it sold for $2300.00 (see pictures). 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. His markings were crude at the time, but now they have proved to be very important. Many of the pieces went through electrolysis to remove crusted rust.

This is the first time this bar shot 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. This piece would be in the top five artifacts out of this collection. As with all the pieces in this esteemed collection, a Certificate of Authenticity will be included. As with all items on the website, a very friendly layaway is available.