Revolutionary War soldier’s shoe buckle, recovered by Frank Kravic at Mt. Independence, VT

This is another early piece being offered, it is an excavated Revolutionary War soldier’s shoe buckle. It is made of brass and measures 2” x 2” in its arched form. During the Revolutionary War, Americans, British, and French all used shoe buckles similar to this one.  It was recovered many years ago at Mount Independence, Vermont by Frank Kravic, co-author of “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution”.

Mount Independence on Lake Champlain in Orwell, Vermont, was the site of extensive fortifications built during the Revolutionary War by the American army to stop a British invasion. Construction began in July 1776, following the American defeat in Canada, and continued through the winter and spring of 1777.

With far fewer men than the year before, the Americans did not have the troops to man a position at Mount Independence. Soon the British were bombarding the Americans at their leisure. Worse yet, they could see every move the Americans made.

On July 5, after debating the options, a council of officers agreed to retreat and in the first hours of the morning of July 6 the American army abandoned Mount Independence, leaving the majority of the artillery and supplies. The German Prinz Friedrich and British 62nd regiments occupied the posts while the rest of Burgoyne’s army pushed on in pursuit of the fleeing American forces.

Revolutionary War artifacts have always been hard to find. With the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding this year, there is a revitalized interest. Just about all Revolutionary War relics and artifacts are in demand, which only adds to their scarcity and price. It comes in the acrylic display case pictured.