re: James Carucci's request for information on Coffin Hardware, Estimated
Age:
For a quick start, check out:
Bell, Edward L.
  1990  The Historical Archaeology of Mortuary Behavior: Coffin Hardware
from Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Historical Archaeology 24(3):54-78.
 
McKillop, Heather
  1995 Recognizing Children's Graves in Nineteenth-Century Cemeteries:...
. Historical Archaeology 29(2):77-99.
For a more time-consuming, but rewarding search, check out various
headings in the National Catalogue of Serial Imprints pre-1950s to locate
trade journals for undertakers, cabinetmakers, funeral directors, etc.
The Center for Research Libraries may have some late 19th/early 20th
century journals available for loan to your local university library
(they do not loan directly to patrons). I have found 19th century trade
journals for horse drawn vehicle makers , blacksmiths, and monumnet
makers invaluable, and generally well-illustrated.