File:An incomplete Roman copper alloy nail-cleaner strap-end, dating AD 250-410. (FindID 765834).jpg

English: An incomplete Roman copper alloy nail-cleaner strap-end, dating AD 250-410. The object is formed of a trapezoidal sextion, which tapers towards a pair of opposing crescent shaped lugs, flaring slightly just before the break. There is a slight squared section at the attachment end of the object, with a beveled edge on either side from this squared section to the crescentic lugs. There is a line engraved around the edge of the squared section to highlight this and a small circular rivet hole, with rivet in situ, in the centre. Decorating the rest of the object are a series of crescent shapes which have been stamped onto the outer surface. A single line of these crescents runs down the centre of the object and two others run along the edges, stopping at the lugs. Based on the shape of the break, there may have been an openwork design lower down, but this is difficult to know for certain. The object has a light green patina. There is a white substance on the reverse of the object, between the square section and the lugs.

This object is of Crummy and Eckardt's crescent shaped lug type (2006, pp. 86-88). Although the decoration does not match any published it clearly has the same form as these examples and is likely of a similar date. They tend to date from the late 3rd century and into the 4th century.

Dimensions: length: 27.81 mm; width: 12.24 mm; thickness: 1.68 mm; weight: 3.45g.

Reference: Eckardt, H & Crummy, N, 2006. 'Roman' or 'Native' Bodies in Britain: The Evidence of Late Roman Nail-Cleaner Strap-Ends, Oxford Journal of Archaeology 25 (1). pp. 83-103.