Revolutionary War Soldier’s musket gun tool, dug at Fort Plain, NY

This is another early piece coming out of an old collection. Being offered is an excavated Revolutionary War soldier’s musket gun tool, measuring 4” x 1 ¾”.  It was recovered at Fort Plain, New York.

It was found in the area of where Colonel Marinus Willett’s Battalion was located. His force was made up of half New York and half Massachusetts troops. The fort was on a hilltop that overlooks the Mohawk River and Otsquago Creek. The site was strategically chosen for its defensibility and valley location.

Fort Plain was built by Colonel Dayton of the American Army of the North (headquarters at Albany) in 1776 on present Fort Hill. It held the American Revolutionary Army Valley Headquarters from 1780 until the close of hostilities in the fall of 1783. Four adjacent small forts formed outposts for the main defense.

In “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution” by Neumann & Kravic, there is an example of one of these tools (see pictures). It shows overall rust but has been coated for preservation and is solid without chipping or flaking. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.

Revolutionary War artifacts have always been hard 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.