The final, and most significant, source of information on the hardware were the surviving pieces of original Madison hardware.  These examples were either found by Montpelier's archaeologists, discovered in private collections, or found in the collections of a historical society.  Examples of original hardware recovered include solid brass “bow” handles that were installed on the ca. 1797 doors.  Several examples of the bow handles were found by employees of the duPonts in the flower gardens at Montpelier.  However, better-documented examples were found by archaeologists when they were excavating President Madison’s outbuildings in the South Yard.  Additionally, the archaeologists also discovered a ca. 1812 knob rosette when the Madison-era road in the front of the Mansion was being excavated.