Copper nails were also used to hold copper sheathing on boats and reduce the danger of shipworm attack.

________________________________________
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of REzell [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, June 28, 2010 9:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: copper nail ID help

They may have been used in construction of the powder magazine.



----- Original Message -----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Mon Jun 28 20:34:44 2010
Subject: copper nail ID help

Hello

I need some help with the identification of two copper cut nails. They
both have a "US" head stamp. One nail is similar to a shoe brad while
the other is about 1.5 inches long. Both show no sign of wear. They
were found in the same test pit along with fragments of pearl ware and
cream ware. The site was near a ship building area since the 18th
century and part of a US Navy base in the mid 19th century. Any ideas
would be a great help.

thanks,

Rick Morris