Interact and learn about historic metal artifacts that AR Consultants has uncovered

Background

The earliest known use of man-made metal objects was in 8,000 BCE in Turkey and Iran, where copper beads would be used for jewelry. Now, metal is used in almost everything. The most common form of metal found in modern archaeological sites is fasteners, which are used in housing and fencing. The most common metals on archaeological sites are iron, copper, copper alloys, lead, tin, and their alloys. 

Artifacts

Oregon Trail Stirrup

Ca. 1840

American

Metal

Joseph Smith & Sons Celebrated Razor 3415

Ca. 1850

British

Metal

In 1810, the company, Joseph Smith, first established its trademark. However, Joseph Smith’s work first appeared in Sheffield directories in 1833. Joseph Smith then changed the company name to Joseph Smith & Sons in 1852. By the 1870s the trademark was acquired by Joseph Allen & Sons. The blade style agrees with this information: from the 1830s to 1880s, a wedge-style blade, barbers’ notch, and elongated tang were popular. Given this information, it can be inferred the straight razor was made between 1852 and the 1870’s.