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