Help with age of square nail.

[broph]

Is there a way of determining the age of square nails?

 

[Mach1Pilot]

Yes, there is.... its hard to tell from that photo due to the rust but its probably machine made, and post 1840s

 

[jrwill56]

If the head is in the shape of a rose and it is tapered on all four sides it is a hand forged nail pre 1800, if it is only tapered on two sides it is a cut nail 1800s.

 

[CoilyGirl]

Here's a neat little chart I found here

 

[gman7665]

Good Question , I find them all the time ...Now I gotta dig em out and look p.s. they still sell them w/ square head and shank at Our local hardware store...