pip.^No." IQ]"' INVESTIGATIONS AT FORT STEVENSON — SMITH. 217 



Construction materials, building hardware, and fittings — Continued 



NaUs and spikes (Nos. 21-23, 53-57, 92-98, 110, 127-131, 248, 249, 273, 323- 

 326, 353-357, 376, 377, 449-455, 457, 477, 555, 556, 614, 684, 685, 752, 861, 

 862, 1210-1220, 1233, 1393-1395, 1499, 1550-1553, 1555, 1597, 1622, 1699, 

 1700, 1755, 1789, 1790, 1792-1795, 1825) (illustrated examples pi. 51, &-i). 

 Numerous lots of nails and spikes ; specimens are available from each 

 individual site excavated, including both of the latrines. Only two speci- 

 mens of the entire collection appear to be hand forged, and both of these 

 may have been made and used during the period subsequent to the military 

 post and Indian school. One (No. 1555) is a long spike (7 inches in 

 length). Another (No. 1792) is a small round nail, with rosette head 

 (2^2 inches in length ; the head ^2 inch in diameter). All other specimens 

 are the customary manufactured cut nail, which are still manufactured. 

 Cut nails were obtained, about 1941, by the National Park Service for 

 building restoration at Fort Laramie National Monument. 



Screws (Nos. 52, 91, 137, 138, 322, 345, 351, 352, 427, 456, 457, 478, 497, 559, 

 560, 562, 600, 601, 750, 858, 1201, 1254, 1702, 1796). Wood screws of var- 

 ious sizes. 



Door Tcnohs (Nos. 86, 87, 135, 193, 194, 342, 401, 582, 623, 624, 760, 761, 834, 

 836-838, 986, 1159, 1269, 1270, 1310, 1377, 1457, 1530, 1657, 2054) (illus- 

 trated specimen pi. 51, I). Glazed earthenware doorknobs (and frag- 

 ments), some of which retain original steel spindles. Spindles were 

 ordinarily fastened by the use of lead. The earthenware appears to have 

 been of only two types, a mottled brown (e.g., Nos. 624, 1530), and a 

 white (e.g.. No. 1657), both highly glazed. No specimens of metal knobs 

 were found, though metal knobs must also have been commercially avail- 

 able at the time the post was in use. In view of the fact that only one 

 complete specimen of the white glaze type was found and this from the 

 site of the Commanding Officer's quarters, it is possible that white knobs 

 were not originally used at the post, and that the specimen found repre- 

 sents a replacement, subsequent to the sale of this building in 1897. A 

 metal door-lock plate (No. 1595), oval in outline and bearing a beaded 

 margin, from the same site, appears also to be a replacement. 



Door handles (Nos. 88, 152, 300, 770, 1247, 1637). Metal thumblatch door 

 handles (and fragments) . 



Door locks (Nos. 151, 284, 372, 433, 573, 612, 657, 728, 731, 787, 874, 919, 1110, 

 1136, 1238, 1249, 1398, 1496, 1498, 1595, 1862, 1866, 2057). Door locks 

 and latches of various types, and lock parts such as strikers. The major- 

 ity of these specimens are of rim locks. Although damaged by fire, some 

 specimens show that many of these were black japanned ware, still com- 

 mon in cheaper hardware. One lock (No. 787) (pi. 51, o) bears the cast 

 letters: "Patented /May []1863/June[] 1864." This specimen was un- 

 doubtedly manufactured under patents issued to Burton Mallory of New 

 Haven, Conn, for a lock and latch and improvement dated May 5, 1863, 

 and June 7, 1864 (U.S. Patent Office, 1866-72 Rep. Comm. of Patents for 

 1863, vol. 1, p. 402, published 1866 ; Rep. of Comm. of Patents for 1864, 

 vol. 1, p. 545, published 1866). Another lock, still retaining the spindle 

 for the knob, bears the cast letters, "Patented/June 8, 1880." A patent 

 for a latch was issued to William E. Sparks of New Britain, Conn, on this 

 date (U.S. Patent Office, Official Gazette, vol. 17, No. 23, June 8, 1880). 

 Other specimens (e.g.. No. 728) also carry lettering and probably patent 

 dates but because of fire damage are not legible. One lock (No. 284), 

 bearing an arabesque design, has a sliding manual bolt, and probably 

 served as a stop for an interior door. 



