Revolutionary War buckles, recovered at Battle of Edge Hill, Philadelphia

Being offered are two Revolutionary War excavated buckles. The larger one is a brass shoe buckle measuring 2 ½” x 2 “ and the smaller one is a strap buckle, measuring ¾” x ½”. 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.

There are examples of these buckles in “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution” by Neumann & Kravic, and one recovered at Fort Stanwix (see pictures). 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.