That’s called being resourceful. I never heard of hand forged nails, but I suppose way back, all ‘nails’ or pegs were handmade until more was known about metallurgy and molds.
I once had a zillion of them in various sizes.
I can’t imagine having to draw out iron bars to tiny diameter and then hammer them each into the required shape.
A lot of effort.
They looked a lot like modern masonry nails but cruder and less uniform.
This area had an 18th century iron furnace nearby and LOTS of iron ore being dug.
I’ve got a milk crate full of the colorful slag from the furnace.
Very glad I can just go to the store and buy a box of nails now, though.
They have historical market fairs at the fort every year and honestly, I could sit and watch the blacksmith for hours.