Founders & Patriots

The upcoming Founders & Patriots auction, presented by Morphy Auctions, offers a variety of arms, militaria, documents, and other items from the era of the American Revolutionary War as well as the War of 1812. Included in the sale is a historic silver-mounted tomahawk. The piece was presented as part of the “Clash of Empires: The British, French & Indian War, 1754-1763” exhibit at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This particular lot was inscribed with the name of Lieutenant John McCellan, a rifleman during the Revolutionary War. At that time, riflemen were required to carry a second weapon or tomahawk, as their rifles were not equipped with bayonets. The available item’s blade has a distinctive crescent edge and a shell design at the top. 

The sale also offers a pair of silver-mounted pistols presented by George Washington to Captain James Chambers. To show his admiration for Chambers’ service during the Revolution, Washington presented the family with this gift of matching pistols. According to the notarized statement, the pistols have been a valued heirloom in the family for many years. They were made around 1775 by noted English gunsmith Thomas Ketland. This auction also features one of only three Fort Pitt horns. Engraved by the artist commonly known as the “Pointed Tree Carver,” this horn bears the British Great Seal. Below the seal, it depicts a hunter and his hounds chasing a deer and a hare. View more items and register to bid on Morphy Auctions.