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Are copper nails etc. pure copper? Is there a way to tell if they are? It seems that they're could be some potential in looking around at old old mom and pop hardware stores and buying their copper cheap. Is there any merit to this? Thanks in advance for any info.

I'd be willing to bet mom and pop want top dollar for their copper nails.

merchoarder wrote:Are copper nails etc. pure copper? Is there a way to tell if they are? It seems that they're could be some potential in looking around at old old mom and pop hardware stores and buying their copper cheap. Is there any merit to this? Thanks in advance for any info.

Any copper nails I have seen are simply copper electroplated.

Last time copper went through the roof, there were quite a few small lumberyards and hardware stores that were selling copper wire below their cost. I suspect everyone is onto it now.

Near me most "mom and pop" hardware stores have been replaced by chains or big box home supply stores.

Copper and brass nails are really expensive, even if copper spot doubled overnight you wouldn't find them below spot in the store.

Also, metal theft is a growing problem for many retailers - most of them are familiar with scrap prices.

theirrationalist wrote:Any copper nails I have seen are simply copper electroplated.

There actually are solid copper and brass nails. Because they're expensive and for specific applications, you're unlikely to find them in large quantities.

We have to use solid copper nails in working with copper sheetmetal. Trust me, they are not cheap!

I collect copper everything. I definitely have several different types of solid copper nails. in addition to brass brads, tacks, tiny nails, etc. Also have hundreds of solid copper, and some possibly copper plated, but most are solid copper machinist screws, tacks, tiny nails, bolts, you name it. I look for this stuff at estate sales, in basements, garages, etc. I Find tons of it, cheap.

oh yeah, I have an ancient roman crucifixion spike, similar to what was used to nail Christ to the cross. It is solid copper, pitted, aged, encrustation, a nice example.

Thanks all for the responses. Frugi, I would love to see a pic of that crucifixion spike, sounds neat! Also, I plan to keep an eye out during the coming garage sale season! Thanks again all for your info!

merchoarder wrote:Thanks all for the responses. Frugi, I would love to see a pic of that crucifixion spike, sounds neat! Also, I plan to keep an eye out during the coming garage sale season! Thanks again all for your info!

I almost had it (the ancient spike) sold this past weekend at a antiques show I was doing in Illinois. I sold out of practically all of my civil war era knives and artifacts to one person. I didn't make very much money at the show; the knives I had paid little to nothing for over the years, but got $200.00 for the collection of about ten knives. I still have the spike...I am busy as hell most of the time, and too lazy most of the other time to take a pic, load it to phototbucket, and figure out how to post it on here (takes me two, three times every time). However, I will make a point to find the time within the next 30 days to post it, it is really cool looking. peace.