Rivet Set

Date1750-1820

MediumIron / steel

DimensionsOL: 3 5/8"

Credit LineGift of Judith and William McMillen

Object number2012-40

DescriptionRivet Set. Tapering, chamfered section going from round at the top to rectangular at the bottom.
Label TextIn addition to lock seaming and soldering, another way smiths joined tin was by the use of rivets. This small punch was used to neatly peen a rivet tightly in place. Its working face has two cavities, one of which is concave and the other of which is a simple hole. For an especially tight set, the concave side would be used first, followed up by a few blows from the hole side.

With nicely chamfered sides, it's striking surface was once round, but is now "mushroomed" over from repeated blows.