Antique Repair Shop emblem
A collection of vintage workshop tools including a wrench, nail, and hammer displayed on a wooden table.

Old Nails, Screws and Pins as Dating Evidence

Identification GuidesDate Published
← All guides & stories

Fasteners record manufacturing methods and repairs, but most furniture contains hardware from more than one date.

What to examine

Examine shape, thread, slot, shank and the hole it occupies. Hand-forged, cut and wire nails have different production histories.

Avoid the common trap

Do not remove sound fittings solely for dating. Replacement screws may document responsible maintenance rather than deception.

Record your findings

Photograph the whole object, the feature in context and a close-up with scale. Note what is observed separately from any conclusion.

Reliable starting points

  • [V&A collections](https://www.vam.ac.uk/collections)
  • [The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Heilbrunn Timeline](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/)

Identification should combine several forms of evidence. Do not use destructive tests, and seek a specialist opinion where attribution or value matters.

Learn by looking closely

See workshop examinations and restoration details on the [Antique Repair Shop YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@AntiqueRepairShop).