Posted 6 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
My newest piece of furniture: antique locking dry sink(?) with Knapp joints and oddly shaped nails (no key. :( ). A web-page says the Knapp joint was mainly used between 1870ish and 1900ish. The auction-house's web-page said "C. 1980", but I think they meant "C. 1890". It has some rot on the feet and a split on one side, but I like it: more storage for my books, wash-bowl, pitcher, and tea-cup/saucer. The web-page says Grand Rapids, Michigan-- a neighbouring city-- used this joint heavily. That they're known as Furniture City also lends credit to this having been made there. I will probably refinish it, for it is very-much beat-up.
With all the fans it is starting to look like my house.
Well, the one on the left is the one I mostly use: to the left of that is my bed. You can see a sheet corner sticking out (I have the mattress on the floor to escape the heat). The one on the right I use only when my room is over 90 F, for it is really powerful but sounds just terrible and moves.
Your nail isn't uncommon for the era. It is called a cut nail, also a box nail and a number of other things but cut nail is most common. The nail is in keeping with the date you posted. I save every original cut nail I can get my hands on. One original cut nail costs about $14.00
fhrjr2, thank you for the information. Can't people just remake them out of heavy gauge wire? I normally look for old screws. In fact, for the c. 1925 couch I picked up at the auction, I need about 6.
"Square nail" is another one to add to the list and the term I normally use.
Also, I would call your furniture a wash stand. A dry sink will normally have a drop down section that actually looks like a sink.
scott