In Jack Sobon's "Historic American Timber Joinery", there are illustrations that show early carpenters used "squarish" pegs to attach rafters to plate, also in some lapped brace joinery. Can anyone tell me WHY these square pegs were used in these locations, instead of traditional octagonal pegs? Have any traditional builders out there used these "squarish" pegs for rafter-plate attachment and have you encountered any difficulties with code officals demanding lag screws or nails?
Also, I've read about the effectiveness in wedging the side cuts on joist dovetail tenons. I see no mention of this practice in "Historic Amer. Timber Joinery". Did early carpenters use wedges on their dovetail tenons? Has anyone come across any examples in their restoration/dismantling work? Hope to hear from someone, thank you.

Ron Mansour