Revolutionary War 12-pounder cannonball, recovered by Frank J. Kravic at Fort Ticonderoga, NY

This is another great identified piece coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War/Revolutionary War artillery. Being offered is a Revolutionary War 12-pounder solid-shot cannonball. It has a diameter of 4.1/2”, weighs 11 pounds, 13 ounces, and has a pronounced mold seam (possibly British). Pictured is a British 12-pounder at Ft. Ticonderoga. It was dug at Fort Ticonderoga, NY 50+ years ago by Frank Kravic. He was a noted archaeologist, author, and historian. Among his books he co-authored “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution”.

He personally dug over 200 Revolutionary War cannonballs in the Champlain Valley of New York, this being one of them. Frank Kravic is known for identifying his relics with codes that he painted on items and cataloged into his collection records. This one is marked, “Ti – 348” for Ft. Ticonderoga. On shells not going through electrolysis, he would use clear nail polish and add his inventory number in pen over white.

Located on Lake Champlain in northeastern New York, Fort Ticonderoga served as a key point of access to both Canada and the Hudson River Valley during the French and Indian War. During the Revolutionary War on May 10, 1775, Benedict Arnold joined Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont in a dawn attack on the fort, surprising and capturing the sleeping British garrison.

Although it was a small-scale conflict, the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga was the first American victory of the Revolutionary War and would give the Continental Army much-needed artillery to be used in future battles.

The ball remains in nice condition, having some overall roughness, but no chipping or flaking – he left this one just how it was dug. This collection began in the late 1950s and was created by private acquisitions, closed museums, and from lake divers.

Any item from the Frank Kravic collection is highly desirable. Most pieces are now in private collections or museums. I had two Kravic balls, the first sold immediately, and this is the other one. A faint mold seam is still visible.

This is the first time this cannonball 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. As with all items on the website, a very friendly layaway is available.