This description sounds much like the colonial American "nail headers" which was a
standard tool in the smiths shop. I am not familiar with the intricacies of Islamic
nails, but if there is any relationship to American via England and earlier Roman
influence of England ....then this may be of help.
The foremost nail maker in the US is Peter Ross of colonial williamsburg. He has
one man at that site who's job it is to make nails. Peter has done extensive
research into nails --- for recreational purposes.
Richard Furrer
Chris Salter wrote:
> Nancy,
>
> I am not sure about Islamic nails, as the only Islamic nails I have
> examined have been rather odd, but that is another story. As for Roman to 19th
> century British nails the technique remained basically the same and is
> illustrated in Tylecote 'The Early History of Metallurgy in Europe' Longman,
> 1987 ISBN 0-582-49195-9. page 262. Unfortunately he does not give a description
> of the nail iron itself, but those I have seen and have seen illustrated have
> been double headed, consisting of a bar which expands at either end to roughly
> circular or square head. These ends have a central square hole for the shaft of
> the nail. Tylecote's illustration shows a nail iron with a flat section, but I
> have also seen in both the archaeological record, and in use, versions with a
> slightly domed profile on the striking side around the hole for the nail shaft.
>
> Chris Salter
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