Occupation of Nail Manufacturer

[Cynfran]

I have a reference on my g grandfather's marriage certificate of 1862 to his father John Thompson's occupation being 'Nail Manufacturer'. The nearest Belfast (where he lived) reference I can find around that time is to a John Thompson - Blacksmith. Could a blacksmith be referred to as a nail manufacturer and visa versa?

[TF13]

hi, i did a google and it seems some blacksmiths did nothing else but make nails.
tony

[leprechaun]

In the era of 1862 a nailor was skilled work he worked along side a Blacksmith.
   The finest quality nails were used for horseshoes,each nail required at least 35 blows of the hammer,to draw it out fine enough,to prevent it from cracking or breaking off in the horses hoof..The workers who forged the nails were known as nailors. Lep.

[Cynfran]

Tony / Lep
Thank you for your replies and apologies for slow reply, just returned after being away since my post.
Your information was helpful and opens up my options for further research.
Cynfran