Fastener	Photo	Description	Years
Handwrought		Handwrought nails were all that was available until the late 1700s they have square tapered shanks. after 1800, their use was very limited. Any house where these nails are found in the sheathing or trim is most likely <1800	<c.1800
Cut Nail     (Hand-Headed)		The first patent for a cut nail machine was in 1789. The nails produced had no heads. The individual nails were heated and hammered before use. This can be recognized by their narrow shoulders where the pliers bit into the softened metal.	c.1790-1825
Cut Nail (Machine-Headed)		Machine headed nails were first produced in 1815, they were rare until the mid 1820s. After being bitten off, the nails were placed into a vise-like machine that used a sharp blow to form the head cold.  These nails have flat, square heads. By 1830 cut nails became indistinguishable from today's.	All-Purpose 1825-1890
			Flooring 1825-???
			Masonry 1825-Present
Wire Nail		Wire nails have been around since 1790s in UK. These were used only for furniture & boxmaking. After 1870 they were produced in USA, first in smaller sizes, brads for molding etc.(c.1880)because they were soft. Their use in framing was not widespread until 1892 (a ratio of 1 to 1 with cut nails)	Brads 1850-Present
			All-Purpose 1880-Present
Low Velocity Powder-Actuated Nail
Staple
Screw