Abstract: A wire nail with a head having a circumferential edge conforming to a complete circle and disposed in a radially offset relationship with respect to a shank. A flat surface on the shank provides a datum indicating where the shank is located. A flat surface on the shank provides a datum for orienting such nail and similar nails. In some embodiments, a tangent plane defined by means of a lower or underside portion of the head is oriented at an acute angle (75.degree. to 85.degree.) relative to the shank. In a strip of such (collated) nails, the flat surfaces defined upon the shanks define an open channel, which coacts with a rib integrally provided upon one wall of a nail-feeding mechanism. In a nail-making machine, two gripping members defining an annular recess and a punch are used to form such a nail from a wire of a malleable metal.

Abstract: A wire nail with a head having a circumferential edge conforming to a complete circle and disposed in a radially offset relationship with respect to a shank. A flat surface on defined upon the shank provides a datum indicating where the shank is located. A flat surface on the shank provides a datum for orienting such nail and similar nails. In some embodiments, a tangent plane defined by means of a lower or underside portion of the head is oriented at an acute angle (75.degree. to 85.degree.) relative to the shank. In a strip of such (collated) nails, the flat surfaces defined upon the shanks define an open channel, which coacts with a rib integrally provided upon one wall of a nail-feeding mechanism. In a nail-making machine, two gripping members defining an annular recess and a punch are used to form such a nail from a wire of a malleable metal.