You make mention of catalogues for hardware & nails. Can you provide a web address to help with that research ?
My friend in Australia (who has a Masters Degree in Timber Building Conservation) is currently compiling a definitive work on nails and their use in building. Being located in a relatively "new" country, he frequently makes reference to items manufactured in England and East Coast USA that were exported to Australia. This research is particularly helpful in providing timelines when examining buildings from the period 1830 onwards. He also has samples of hand made nails from as early as the 1300's and later but it would appear that it was not until the early / mid 1800's that manufactured items became more prevalent in building and so this type of information might well assist in helping to date both New and Olde England's building heritage.
