Posted 11 years ago
TheGateKee…
(222 items)
Sheet metal barb pinned to a single line wire with a cut nail, and a sheet metal nail tab wrapped around the wire and nailed to the post. The tab is designed to prevent the wire from wearing away the wood and loosening. When the nails are driven into place on both items they form a slight kink in the wire, locking them in place to prevent lateral movement.
Mortimer S. Harsha, of Chicago, Illinois received patent #179,555 for the barbed wire, July 4, 1876, and #183,299 for the nail tab, October 17, 1876. Both patents were assigned (sold) to Mark G. Collson, Chicago, Illinois.
The barbed wire was most likely hand assembled .