Revolutionary War Large Sword Sling Buckle, recovered at Crown Point, NY (SOLD)

This is another nice piece being offered which came out of a large Revolutionary War collection; it is a large brass Sword Sling Buckle, measuring 3 ¾” x 3”. It was recovered many years ago from the ruins of Crown Point, NY.

At the outbreak of the American Revolution, the rebellious colonists looked to Crown Point to aid their cause. The surrender of Fort Crown Point to American rebel troops commanded by Seth Warner in May of 1775 yielded 114 pieces of cannon and heavy ordnance sorely needed by the Americans. Colonel Henry Knox carried twenty-nine of these to Boston during that winter to force the British out of the city.

After the capture of the fort, Crown Point became a springboard for an invasion of Canada. General Richard Montgomery's force sailed down the lake in August 1775. Despite initial success in Montreal, the combined forces of Montgomery and Benedict Arnold were defeated at Quebec in December 1775. They retreated in disarray, riddled with smallpox, to Crown Point. Men died by the hundreds in makeshift field hospitals and were buried in mass graves.

Crown Point was a staging area for the British in both 1776 and 1777. After the Americans abandoned Crown Point, the British assembled their troops here. Delayed by the American Navy, Sir Guy Carleton arrived here with his troops in October of 1776 but retreated north for the winter shortly thereafter. British General John Burgoyne's army arrived here in June of 1777. Crown Point remained under British control until the end of the war.

In the Revolutionary War section of Howard Crouch’s relic book, he shows one of these buckles and states “A very heavy brass-cast sword sling  buckle. By their bulk alone, the civilian usage of such buckles can be eliminated” (see pictures). There is another in the Fort Plain Revolutionary War Museum (see pictures). It is in very nice condition, indicative of an early recovery. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.

Revolutionary War artifacts have always been difficult to find. With the upcoming of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding next year, there will be a revitalized interest. Just about all Revolutionary War relics and artifacts will be in demand, which will only add to their scarcity and price. I am already seeing a substantial increase in sales.