Pistol and pocket knife

I think there may be a confusion between railroad spikes which are used to fasten railroad rails to railroad ties and date nails which are special nails used   Railroad spikes are generally 5 1/2 to 10 inches long and are square in shape with offset heads to hold the rail flange in place.   Date nails on the other hand are usually about the size of a common nail but have a large round or square head centered on the nail (as with most common nail).  They can be anywhere from 3/4 of inch to 3 inches in length.   The head of the nail usually has a numeral consisting of one or two characters (although occasionally you will find date nails that have something other than a number stamped on the head)   Date nails were not used to secure anything to anything else.  Rather the sole purpose of a date nail is to convey information, such as when the timber/tie was manufactured and treated or when it was laid. 

BA

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Hi BA, here are a few pics of date nails they are 1938 1939 and 1945 that one appears to be plated they are 1. 1/4" long ..
..........HH....Johnnn

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Neat finds. Good luck on the beach. May the sea give up a great harvest. I didn't know about the railroad spike dates guys, I found some I need to check.

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J Walker

Johnn, I've seen those! They use them in telephone poles too.

Here is the cap pistol after I cleaned it up and soldered it back together. Best I can tell It was made by the Stevens Company in 1935. I saw on for $99 on ebay.  It would be very collectable if it was in better condition but I like it anyway and will keep it as part of my collection. I had to make the trigger and trigger guard out of rusty nails because they were missing but it turned out pretty well. 

No luck at the beach last week. I spent a full 4 hours in the water and came up with a few clad coins and another cheap plated ring. When the water gets warm I'm going to try it one more time. If I don't come up with something I'm going to put the Sand Shark up for sale!

 There was probably a thousand spring breakers on the beach but only two old guys with metal detectors and 3 or 4 Canadians in the water.  The water was about 68 degrees. Too cold for the young crowd. The boys and girls were huddled up on the beach like they were planning something. I wonder what that would be??? Not volley ball.

Keep swinging gambol

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		Quote:			Posted by gambol1
	Johnn, I've seen those! They use them in telephone poles too.

Just as an fyi, when they are used on a telephone pole, it is usually to designate the height of the pole, not the date the pole was produced or sold......now back to your thread in progress   

BA

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