Chasing Date Nails

Most of the date nails were collected from railroad ties on unused tracks in the Central Illinois area.  Generally, the tracks have now been torn up and returned to the adjoining farmer. Several of the right-of-ways have been turned into bicycle paths or walking trails.

Brass Date Nails with raised or indented numbers.

Shank is round and 1 1/4 inches long

Date Nails with oval head and raised numbers.

Shank is 2 1/2 inches long changing from oval to rectangle.

Date Nails with round head and Indented numbers.

Shank is round and 2 1/2 inches long.

Date Nails from the 1920’s with round head and raised numbers. Shank is round and 2 1/2 inches long.

Date Nails from the 1930’s with round head and raised numbers.

 Shank is 2 1/2 inches long.

Date Nails from the 1940’s with round head and raised numbers.

Shank is 2 1/2 inches long.

Date Nails from the 1950’s with round head and raised numbers. Shank is round and 2 1/2 inches long.

Date Nails from the 1960’s with round head and raised numbers.

Shank is round and 2 1/2 inches long.

Date Nails with square head and Indented numbers.
Shank is round and 2 1/2 inches long.

The 10 diamond shaped date nail has a 2 3/8 inch square shank.

Date Nails with square head and raised numbers.

Shank is square and 2 1/2 inches long.

Brass Insignia

MLP is aluminum with a 1 inch head and 2 inch shank

Mystery Date Nails
The 54 and 55 have flattened edges in a hex shape.

1930 Round Indented in tack style.
Shank is 1 1/8” long square tapered.