Ft Stambaugh, Wy

[jmmymack]

This find was found many years ago at Ft Stambaugh, Wy. This is the first picture I have ever shared . It is a miniature hatchet charm with the wording "I cannot tell a lie 1776", stamped in the handle. On the other side of the handle is: "I did it with this hatchet 1876". I am curious if any members have ever seen such a charm..

 

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[Argentium]

That little charm is probably from Virginia since the quote is reputedly associated with a young George Washington confessing
that he did in fact chop down the cherry tree (he did it with that little hatchet !) This of course would have been some decades
before 1776 - So this is yet another apocryphal tale that gets tossed into a bag of legends having some very nebulous
relationship with the American revolution . In 1876 (the centenary of the Declaration of Independence )there was a flurry of
patriotic sentiment throughout the nation - and not surprisingly - all manner of commercial products related to the historic
date - including your little hatchet . Cool find !

 

[Ron (CA)]

I have never seen a charm like that before, but it is a very cool find.


Thanks for sharing and good luck.

 

[jmmymack]

I suspect the charm belonged to a soldier stationed at the fort in 1876 about the time it was closed. I picked up many relics there, including large calibre rim fire brass, with double firing pin marks. Also the aparent site of a forge for horseshoes and metalwork....

 

[46Wheat]

No help on the info from me but I do have to say its a nice looking piece

 

[Mackaydon]

Look at "CCVI" on page 35 here: https://books.google.com/books?id=k...page&q=I did it with this hatchet 1876&f=true
Don....

 

[jmmymack]

I am a little late responding but thanks for the information. How could I determine how many of these items were struck or produced? The description is exact.....

 

[bill from lachine]

That a great artifact you dug up....congratulations.

Regards + HH

Bill

 

[JackalopeZL1]

That is great.

 

[sutphin]

NICE FIND NEW MEMBER , I KINDA THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A GIFT FOR A FIRED WORKER , YOU KNOW LIKE HE GOT THE AX ...