Help with this find.

[Pichifliguen]

Hi guys.. I’m a new member of this site but I have been enjoying the knowledge, amazing stories and personal finds for a while as a guest.
I found few artifacts while scuba diving that they seem to be spikes and/or nails made out of brass, bronze or copper. To be honest I don’t know much about metals. The large spike has some ridges close to the point as you can see in the picture.
It will be great to have an idea of how old these may be, usage or any other information that you guys may want to share.
The measurements are in cm.
Thank you!

 

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[Pichifliguen]

I've been doing some research and based of what I've found online and other information you guys had shared in other similar threads seem very difficult to estimate a somewhat accurate age for these spikes and nails so I'm gonna have to search the area were I found them for some other clues that may help to identify this wreck.
However, there is no other references that I have found to similar spikes like the large on on my pictures with the ridges running diagonal towards the tip of the shank.
This is a very captivating subject and since I started doing this research I'm having a hard time to stop digging!
Cheers!

 

[diveplam]

I've pulled out so many nails, but this is the first time I've seen one. The small ones are from the underwater skin of the ship, and there is no doubt about that.

 

[ARC]

Ship nails.

 

[Pichifliguen]

I found one even more intriguing today.. I’m searching all over the web like a mad man trying to find something similar with no luck either..
Here it is..

 

[Pichifliguen]

Ship nails.

Thanks Arc.. My mind is turning into a mush with all these finds that brings me nothing more than questions and more questions! Captivating thou!

 

[Pichifliguen]

I've pulled out so many nails, but this is the first time I've seen one. The small ones are from the underwater skin of the ship, and there is no doubt about that.

Thank you for your answer diveplam! Really intriguing this finds.. check the other one I found with L or V shape.. nothing on that one on the web so far either.🤯

 

[diveplam]

Thank you for your answer diveplam! Really intriguing this finds.. check the other one I found with L or V shape.. nothing on that one on the web so far either.🤯

I don't believe there are V and L shaped ship nails.
I think the shape of the nails depends on the thickness of the wooden beam of the ship. It just curves on the other side of the beam.

 

[diveplam]

Look at these pictures of the different shapes of the nails. I found two nails similar to yours, which has a chopped (I don't know the exact word in English) blade, which will probably interest you.

 

[Pichifliguen]

Look at these pictures of the different shapes of the nails. I found two nails similar to yours, which has a chopped (I don't know the exact word in English) blade, which will probably interest you.

Very interesting..I was reading some Spanish manuscripts about the types of fastening(clavazon in Spanish) used in ships of the XVIII century and I did find references to to Nails with the tip dented(dentada) o Harpooned (arponada) used in no thru the wood ( no to the other side) applications. It makes sense since this grooves, ridges or dents will simulate the barbs in the fishing hooks making it harder to pull out.
I was reading an old thread were Arc and Alexandre were discussing about the use of bronze or brass spikes and nails being introduced in the XVIII century so perhaps It will be safe to asume that the artifacts that I've been finding may belong to a ship no older than the XVIII century. I'd love to be able to get a more accurate age but that will be difficult with what I have found so far.
Thank you for your time helping me out!

 

[Pichifliguen]

I don't believe there are V and L shaped ship nails.
I think the shape of the nails depends on the thickness of the wooden beam of the ship. It just curves on the other side of the beam.

I think you are right..just another spike then...

 

[diveplam]

Very interesting..I was reading some Spanish manuscripts about the types of fastening(clavazon in Spanish) used in ships of the XVIII century and I did find references to to Nails with the tip dented(dentada) o Harpooned (arponada) used in no thru the wood ( no to the other side) applications. It makes sense since this grooves, ridges or dents will simulate the barbs in the fishing hooks making it harder to pull out.
I was reading an old thread were Arc and Alexandre were discussing about the use of bronze or brass spikes and nails being introduced in the XVIII century so perhaps It will be safe to asume that the artifacts that I've been finding may belong to a ship no older than the XVIII century. I'd love to be able to get a more accurate age but that will be difficult with what I have found so far.
Thank you for your time helping me out!

A hook for rigging or deboning animals? Why not?

 

[Pichifliguen]

A hook for rigging or deboning animals? Why not?

That can also be possible..probably a type of hook used in the galley.

 

[islamoradamark]

welcome to treasurenet

 

[Pichifliguen]

welcome to treasurenet

Thank you!

 

[Pichifliguen]

That can also be possible..probably a type of hook used in the galley.

Have you ever found bronze sheathing and lead sheathing in the same spot?

 

[diveplam]

Have you ever found bronze sheathing and lead sheathing in the same spot?

I don't know if there is a ship with mixed copper and lead plating. Copper plating ships are quite an expensive treat for their shipowners unlike lead ones which are many times cheaper. I have found copper and lead pieces very close to each other but this I owe it to the currents (at least that's what I've noticed in the Black Sea) that break ships in the same place.

 

[Pichifliguen]

I don't know if there is a ship with mixed copper and lead plating. Copper plating ships are quite an expensive treat for their shipowners unlike lead ones which are many times cheaper. I have found copper and lead pieces very close to each other but this I owe it to the currents (at least that's what I've noticed in the Black Sea) that break ships in the same place.

Make sense what you said..It is not the case in my case.

 

[diveplam]

If all that you have found is in the sea and there is visibility from the surface of the water, I advise you to make a visual inspection from a boat. If there is a sandy bottom and there is an accumulation of stones around these sandbars, it must be checked. You may be surprised what artifacts you can find there.

 

[Pichifliguen]

Make sense what you said..It is not the case in my case.

While doing some research if found out that some of these old ships used lead sheathing to cover the walls and floor in the kitchen as a fire retardant or protection. This explains the presence of lead sheathing and copper on the same spot. This is so interesting!