Revolutionary War 6-pounder cannonball, recovered at Philadelphia

Being offered is a rare Revolutionary War 6-pounder solid-shot cannonball. It has a diameter of approximately 3.25” and weighs 5-pounds, 7-ounces – it also has the very early mold seam partially visible. During the Revolution both sides made extensive use of artillery and 6-pounder cannons. Actually, there is one on display at the Yorktown Revolutionary War Museum (see pictures). This ball was recovered years ago from the Philadelphia Campaign in nearby Chester.

Chester, Pennsylvania, played a significant role during the Revolutionary War, particularly in 1776 and 1777. It served as a staging ground for Continental Army troops and a temporary location for military activity in the area surrounding Philadelphia.

In 1777, the Continental Army, led by General George Washington, passed through Chester enroute to the Battle of Brandywine. After the defeat at Brandywine, the Continental Army fled back to Chester, and a portion of the British forces pursued them, briefly occupying the town.

The Philadelphia Campaign, a key event in the Revolutionary War, saw the British attempt to capture Philadelphia, the American capital in 1777. The campaign involved a series of battles, including Brandywine, Paoli, and Germantown, and ultimately resulted in the British occupying Philadelphia for several months.

While the British achieved a strategic victory by seizing the city, the campaign also had significant consequences for the war, including contributing to French recognition of the United States and the harsh winter encampment of the Continental Army at Valley Forge.

The 6-pounder smoothbore cannon was a primary field piece used by British, French, and Continental forces during the Revolutionary War. There is an identical cannonball in the Crown Point Museum in New York (see pictures). That one was recovered on the grounds of the British fort in 1982. This ball shows the rough exterior, but it is not chipping or flaking and remains very solid. It comes in the acrylic display case pictured. Any relics from the Philadelphia area are highly desirable.

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