✅ SOLVED Need help with nail age.

[JohnDee1]

Hello, I found this nail recently and I was wondering its age. I think it’s a square nail, but I am not sure. Help with the nail age would be much appreciated.

 

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[fishnnut]

Yep square nail for sure. The ones in my state (midwest) date around the 1880’s or so but probably a lot older in the eastern states. Should be some old goodies around there. Good luck

 

[GaRebel1861]

Hunt the area nearby for more. You may be very close to an old homesite. Good luck.

 

[JohnDee1]

Thanks so much for the identification, that is fascinating such old things existed in my area. I initially only thought the finds were from 1936, due to that being the first and only record of such homesite. I guess it shows you just have to be out in the field to determine such things. Thanks again!

 

[creskol]

Hello, I found this nail recently and I was wondering its age. I think it’s a square nail, but I am not sure. Help with the nail age would be much appreciatedQUOTE]

Can you post a photo oh the nail head? Thanks.

 

[john845]

Looks like a cut nail. Cut nails were machine made. The older nail are rose heads and were hand made. You can ID rose heads by the hammer mark pattern on the head. Cut nails were produced between 1800 and 1900. Around 1900 wire nails became the most common nail and remain so. Cut nails are still in use for certain application. Mostly for nailing into masonary as they are harder and will not bend easily.

 

[JohnDee1]

So would a cut nail be closer to the 1800’s or the 1936 date?

 

[creskol]

Because of its crudeness and irregular T-type head, and having rectangular cross section as compared to a square nail, I am going to say it dates 1800-1880.

 

[JohnDee1]

Wow my original dating of the site to 36 was way off. Thanks for the response!

 

[mick56]

Our local Ace Hardware still sells square nails.

 

[JohnDee1]

Fascinating how such designs are used by the decades. Though I somewhat think the nail is old, because I have found old-ish seeming wagon wheel hubs in the same area. Though I could be wrong.