Revolutionary War Mattock Hand Tool, recovered at Ft. Ticonderoga, NY

This is another nice early piece coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War/Revolutionary War artifacts. Being offered is a Revolutionary War Mattock Hand Tool measuring 10” x 2 ¾” x 2 ½” and weighing 2 pounds, 8 ounces. These tools were used for light digging, breaking up soil, and pulling up small rocks. It was recovered many years ago at Fort Ticonderoga, New York.

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 tool is in very nice condition, having a mostly smooth surface, typical of an early recovery. 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. The markings may be crude, but now they proved to be very important.

There are examples of this tool in “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution”, by Neuman and Kravic”, (see pictures). Also, there is one on display at the Crown Point, NY Museum (see pictures). This is the first time this piece has been on the open market, and it is truly a great piece of early American History. During the Revolutionary War, these tools were just as important as weapons. 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. This item, as well as the others, have the very friendly layaway available.