Brass Nail or Tack...what used for?

[noahgenda]

Found a solid brass nail / tack? buried in the rocks on the Beach.
2 1/2 " long...bright brass,flat head, copper coating?
Any ideas what it might have been used for?

 

[creskol]

Re: Brass Nail/Tack

Sounds like the nails used to attach terracotta and slate roofing?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Brass Nail/Tack

We need a pic. Does the head have any numbers on it?

 

[goldguru]

Re: Brass Nail/Tack

was the tip of the nail bent ?
if so it could have beeen used to Plank a small boat..under 20ft..
Brass nails made good salt water fasteners for smaller boats.
they bent the tip as it came in thru the stringer which is called clinching the nail.
a 2.5 in nail would have a 3/4 to 1in plank & a 1 inch rib allowing 1/2 to 3/4 of clinch. as most older boats didnt have luxury of planed wood thickness.

but without a pic. Im just babbling.

 

[taz42o]

Re: Brass Nail/Tack

was the tip of the nail bent ?
if so it could have beeen used to Plank a small boat..under 20ft..
Brass nails made good salt water fasteners for smaller boats.
they bent the tip as it came in thru the stringer which is called clinching the nail.
a 2.5 in nail would have a 3/4 to 1in plank & a 1 inch rib allowing 1/2 to 3/4 of clinch. as most older boats didnt have luxury of planed wood thickness.

but without a pic. Im just babbling.

First pic is brass clinch nails, second are bronze clinch nails. Have not found any over 1.25" though.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Re: Brass Nail/Tack



yes pictures would help us ID your nail but welcome to T Net

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Brass Nail/Tack

Sounds like the nails used to attach terracotta and slate roofing?

my thoughts as well

 

[noahgenda]

Re: Brass Nail/Tack

pictures..tks for everyones help!

 

[noahgenda]

Re: Brass Nail/Tack

More pics...

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

That looks like a very crude old nail. I notice you are in Bermuda where there are many shipwrecks. Maybe it is a tack to fasten hull sheathing.

 

[IronSpike]

A similar nail in this photo. The site doesn't give a specific usage, however based find location I would lean towards their description as a nail/tack used as common fasteners on a ship.

http://www.sedwickcoins.com/archive/Auction2/DFS_TreasureAuction2_Cat_Artifacts.htm

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I would say its an old shipwreck nail.