Rob Mann wrote:
>I am looking
>for sources, primary or secondary, historical or archaeological that
>relate architectural hardware such as H and HL hinges to house size and
>quality and hence potentially to class or staus.

Sounds to me like some sort of envy Rob!

In looking at historic houses in Central New York the houses that do have H
and HL hinges date to the 1790s to 1820s, and the iron work within (hinges,
clasps, hooks, pintles, gutter hooks, and all sorts of other hardware) is
likely to be the product of resident artisans (ie the old blacksmith).  As
for equating size of hardware to size of income or structure, I have seen
small hinges on large doors and large hinges on small doors as well as
hinges used simply to tie two pieces of wood together.  As to status
association (hanging with Randy are you?) you can assume all you want,
which is why most arcaheological reports stick with description rather
attributing status.  I have a feeling that no one has looked at your
question from your perspective and perhaps to an architectural historian
the ide is a bit crazy.  It may be a good opportunity to tie architectural
research with archaeological research and draw some conclusions.  You will
need to find intact structures with hinges that have not been moved around
or reused, and then do the research.  You will probably find that the size
of the hinge fit the job it was meant to perform and that it is not
reflective of status of the resident or size of the house.

        Dan W.