60 inch chain link fence

Dating Antique Screws

GAF

I am refinishing an antique trunk that shows sigs of being significantly older than I initially considered. There are many indicators of age: a) square head nails b) hand crafted screws c) hand carved dovetails d) hand carved top edge ornamental e) not individual boards – sides and top are full panels Hand crafted screws are new to me. I am looking for feedback on how old these screws indicate this trunk might be. Thank you. ... Gary

GAF

I am refinishing an antique trunk that shows sigs of being significantly older than I initially considered. There are many indicators of age: a) square head nails b) hand crafted screws c) hand carved dovetails d) hand carved top edge ornamental e) not individual boards – sides and top are full panels Hand crafted screws are new to me. I am looking for feedback on how old these screws indicate this trunk might be. Thank you. ... Gary

Steve Neul

I think it's a reproduction. It might be as much as 100 years old but I don't think it's 18th century like the construction suggests.

GAF

Steve, thanks. I assumed that the square head nails were a good indicator of 100+ years old. The item that still intrigues me is the hand crafted screws. Early researching that I have done suggests maybe 150 years old. Not sure what you see to suggest reproduction. Gary

Steve Neul

The square head nails don't really mean anything, you can still buy them. As far as the screws, hand crafted screws are usually more blunt on the end than those. The differences may just be a different manufacturer. As far as the reproduction, the overall condition and from what I can see of the age of the wood it looks like early to mid 20th century.

GAF

Thanks for the additional feedback. I will be very careful refinishing this piece to preserve as much of the aged look as possible. Gary

GeorgeC

The piece does not look to be in bad condition. Why do you want to refinish? In general refinishing detracts from the value and collector interest of antiques. George

GAF

Fair question, George. The customer has requested a refinishing but it may end up being just a superficial but good cleaning. If I were to determine the age as much older than 100 years I would recommend to the customer to not let me do a full refinishing. Gary

yomanbill

I'm no expert, but I did some research for an old piece we have. If I remember correctly, screws didn't become available until about 1850 or maybe a bit later. The first ones were machined without slots. These were cut by hand. So, maybe this is what you mean by "hand crafted". If you are sure these are the original screws, I wouldn't date it any earlier than 1850 until an expert comes along that has better information.

GAF

Bill, thanks for the input. I had done some research about how old hand made/crafter screws were. The significant part of your input is about being sure that these were the original screws. I don't know how to prove that they are without an expert and I sure don't have access to one of those locally. That is why I am asking for the feedback that I am asking for. Gary

TomCT2

hand made screws do not have the perfectly even sides / parallel spacing / slot of the pictured ones. fwiw. could be old, but old to "pre-machine-made-wood-screws" - not likely.

yomanbill

Agreed. The screws you picture are definitely machine made. If the slots are hand cut, they could be from the 1850s or so. Hard to tell from the pictures. Hand made screws started with a square nail that was hammered into approx. round shape and then the threads were cut by hand with a file. Not very precise. Also, they were not tapered and had blunt ends. I think you need some additional clues like saw marks, plane marks, joinery. You might get clues from the hinges or the lock (do I see one there?). I also agree that you should not refinish. The existing finish looks like shellac. I would just clean it, make needed repairs, and pad on some shellac where needed over your repairs.