Gentlemen,

Thanks for the replies on checking and splitting. All of the reasons that you stated were ones that I was thinking but hey, you never know. I also asked among some other Dutch barn people (who are mostly documenters) and got basically the same answers. None had ever seen any evidence of any type of sealer on ends.

If any was ever used it would most likely still be visible on tenons in blind mortises and I have never seen any on the Dutch barns that I have documented that were being taken down.

Once more thanks for the help.

Rolland