Revolutionary War Pot Hook from Ft. Ticonderoga, early 1900s

This is another great piece being offered, it is a Revolutionary War iron hand fashioned pot hook, measuring approximately 5 ½”. Fashioned from a piece of scrap metal, usually barrel bands – this was something necessary for cooking over an open fire. This unique piece was recovered at Ft. Ticonderoga in the early 1900s (see pictures).

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. 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.

Restoration of the fort was first undertaken by the Pell family in 1909. Many of the townspeople helped with the project and were allowed to take small artifacts such as this one. These types of pot hooks are common finds at military sites. In “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution”, there are similar examples shown (see pictures). It is not chipping or flaking, and a light coat of varnish has been applied for preservation.