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Cataloging Iron Objects at Montpelier
The Montpelier Foundation
Every object Montpelier excavates is identified with a “NCAT Code”. This Code corresponds to
a specific object type.
For Iron objects, there are nearly 100 separate codes, all corresponding to different kinds of
iron objects. This slideshow will present some of the most common types!
Ivor Noel Hume developed a nail
classification that we have adopted at
Montpelier.
The manufacture technique of nails has changed throughout time…making nails incredibly useful for archaeologists. The majority of our iron objects are nails.
Nails at Montpelier
Wrought Nails
Wrought Nails were hand made nails that were used during the 18th century and early 19th century. There are
three primary manufacture types that we see at Montpelier.
Wrought Nails
Rose Head NCAT: 388-390
T-Head or Downturned NCAT: 393-394
These nail types are of an earlier period, and are entirely hand-
made.
These nails can have a point, or flattened spatula
tip.
Wrought Nails
Wrought nails were hand-made, using long strips of iron and a specific technique illustrated here.
Machine Cut Nails
Machine Cut nails were developed in the early 19th century, and went through a number of stylistic changes until the 1880s, when they were replaced by the modern
wire nail.
Machine Cut Nails
3. Machine Cut w L-Head, Spatulate tip
NCAT: 396
4. Machine Cut w L-Head Pointed tip
NCAT: 397
5. Machine Cut w no head NCAT: 398
Machine Cut Nails7. Machine Cut w
Hand Wrought Head NCAT: 407
8. Machine Cut w side-pinched head
NCAT: 930
9. Machine Cut Face Pinched
NCAT: 931
Machine Cut Nails
Machine Cut nails are made by cutting a sheet of iron fed into a reciprocating blade, heads were added
later in the process.
At Montpelier, the dates that these nails were used also correspond to dramatic changes in the architecture of the
Madison’s home and landscape. This makes nails incredibly useful for archaeologists at Montpelier.
Nails and Telling Time at Montpelier
1765-1797: Colonial Landscape
Hand wrought nails were exclusively used in the first iteration of the
Montpelier mansion at Montpelier, built in 1765. Therefore, Rose and T Head nails are representative of these sites.
1797-1808 Landscape
Modifications to the home in 1797 correspond to a change in nail manufacture, represented by
Machine Cut L-Head or Wrought Head nails.
1808-1840s: Retirement Landscape
The Retirement Landscape, from when the Madison’s return from Washington DC, is
represented by Machine Cut Side-Pinched Nails, while the period following the Madison’s
ownership of the property, post 1840s, is marked by the Machine Cut Face-Pinched nail.
Iron Fork NCAT: 218
Hinge NCAT: 381
Other Iron Objects
Iron Key NCAT: 326
Padlock NCAT: 726
Chain Link NCAT: 363-364
Horseshoe NCAT: 489
Horseshoe Nails NCAT: 491
Door Lock NCAT: 915
Pintel NCAT: 910-912
Furniture Tack NCAT: 227