6 feet of CW history - The missing link! ***CONFIRMED***

[ModernMiner]

O.K., I know it's not an earth shattering find, but it's not bad for an hour hunt.
I hit one of my CW spots today at lunch. The Tesoro was picking up iron signals like crazy after the huge amount of rain we got yesterday. RR spikes, nails, iron rings, and this 6' long old chain. I almost just put it in the pile of other rusty scrap iron I've dug here over the past few years. Then I spotted the odd looking link, and saw "US" cast into it.
The CW troops camped at this property so I'm assuming the "US" does not mean Uncle Sam.
Does anyone know what this chain would have been used on?
I plan on putting it into one of my displays since it seem like a pretty neat find.

Should I use electrolysis on it, leave it as-is, or just spray it with a clear coat?

Thanks for looking,
MM
P.S. If this is NOT a CW relic then I am offering each link for a dollar a piece.

Oh yeah, I found a small gold "Gilt" cuff button also.

***10/16 - I received a positive ID on the chain from a well respected CW dealer in Tenn. that this is indeed a CW relic called an ARTILLERY TOW CHAIN. Yaba-daba-doooo!!!!

 

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[Kyle PA]

Way to go, Dug, on the CW-period chain. You are due for another Confederate button, buddy!

 

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[Woodland Detectors]

That's a huge find Doug!

Nice CW relic!

I'll take you up on the Radio Flyer .













'f

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: 6 feet of CW history - The missing link!

Hey Doug nice find. : I can tell you that I find the hooks like on the end of your chain often at one of my civil war cannon emplacement sites...in fact found one identical a couple months ago while here...alot of artillery carriage chains and hooks I've found while diggin there and it looks like yours could be one. Nice finds my friend

Congrats on it being CW period. I am glad I was wrong. Q will be back online next week.

Thanks D,
I'm just glad I didn't have to spray paint it gold & give it to the wife for Christmas.
How's Q keeping himself busy without his computer? Extreme Bingo perhaps?
-Doug-

Congrats on the ID and I'm glad it turned out to be a CW relic.
NJ

Thanks NJ.

Nice find!! Rumor has it there were a couple of those hanging in a barn near where I live for years!! It was a camp but I never saw the chains but heard about them... again.. nice find!!

MB

CHECK THAT BARN MB.
Thanks,
MM

Very cool find! I really like it!

Mike

Thanks Mike.

Nice trace chain. Used on more than just artillery

Thanks SWR. I'm happy to find out it's CW. Never saw one like it. I tried finding one on Google, but nothing.
-MM-

Very cool iron find!

Thanks Romeo. It sure beats digging those RR spikes.
-MM-

Way to go, Dug, on the CW-period chain. You are due for another Confederate button, buddy!

Kyle,
You got that right! I'll be diving back into the woods very soon to try to find some more relics of old. I've been trying to dig a Colonial Ipod, but I hear there are like hens teeth.
Good luck out in those ever producing PA fields buddy.
-Sir Dug of Ironlinks-

That's a huge find Doug!
Nice CW relic!
I'll take you up on the Radio Flyer .

Mikey, Mikey, Mikey,
Are you about ready to get out again? Geez, just duct tape a broomstick around your sore back & let's go already! I need you to show me how to detect again.
Sally sends her love.
-Doug-

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: 6 feet of CW history - The missing link!

Nice trace chain. Used on more than just artillery

Thanks SWR. I'm happy to find out it's CW. Never saw one like it. I tried finding one on Google, but nothing.

"US Trace Chain - Sometimes called the wiffle chain, used to connect the horse to to something as a vehicle or cannon, etc. Overall good condition, shows age with light rust, 21 1/2" long, marked US both sides on the swivel. - Price is $ 65.00 plus shipping and insurance. Item - R-18"

http://www.civilwarantiqueshop.com/relics.htm

SWR,
Thanks so much for sending that link!!! Awesome!!! Mines three times that size so maybe $200?
You made my day.
-MM-

 

[CowboyKolo]

You know...it's not every day I come on here and see someone excited about
finding so much iron It's nice to know it isn't always "junk". I may just
have to go back through some of my old areas now and see if I left
"one man's junk" around!

 

[ModernMiner]

You know...it's not every day I come on here and see someone excited about
finding so much iron It's nice to know it isn't always "junk". I may just
have to go back through some of my old areas now and see if I left
"one man's junk" around!

I agree Cowboy.
I have a CW spot i've detected many times over, but never much in all metal mode to pick up the iron targets. I got tired of digging rusty nails and RR spikes so I stopped. Maybe I need to rethink this?
-MM-

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

Re: 6 feet of CW history - The missing link!

Woaahh. That chain is awesome Doug!

I just got word, the beans are cut in front the spot you want to hit.
My back is shot for a few buddy. Sciatic nerve AND middle back..

I feel like an old dude!

Thanks Mikey.
I'm hoping someone can ID this chain for me as CW.

Let me know when you are ready old man. I can pull you around in a Radio Flyer wagon using this chain if you need me to.
Get better,
Doug

 

[ynpto804]

Love it. You gotta dig iron to find cool stuff like that. Nice work.

 

[Colonial Copper Zeus]

Nice Artillary Tow Chain Doug. Now go out and find a Chain Cent.
Chris

 

[ModernMiner]

Nice Artillary Tow Chain Doug. Now go out and find a Chain Cent.
Chris

I'm already on it. Thanks Chris.
-Doug-

 

[VOL1266-X]

After my upgrade to a NASA level computer, I get back on Tnet to see you dug a jackass necklace-LOL. Wtg, Quindy.

 

[ModernMiner]

After my upgrade to a NASA level computer, I get back on Tnet to see you dug a jackass necklace-LOL. Wtg, Quindy.

Q-
I was going to give it to you for Christmas. Welcome back to the 21st century old man. I'm glad you made it down off of that telephone pole after making a call to the computer store. .
I'm hoping to dig the jackass up next.
-Doug-

 

[Tnmountains]

Nice whole chain. I bet it gave a whoping good signal even in discriminate. Great relic in my book.

 

[ModernMiner]

Nice whole chain. I bet it gave a whoping good signal even in discriminate. Great relic in my book.

Thanks TnM,
This baby rang out loud and clear. I think I'm cornering the market on old plow blades & axe heads too.
-MM-

 

[UncleTykie]

Could have been made by US Steel

 

[allen]

how long did it take you to dig that chain up?
Congrats on it been from the CW !!

 

[ModernMiner]

how long did it take you to dig that chain up?
Congrats on it been from the CW !!

Allen,
Fortunately, not long at all. It was in soft dirt so once I got a hold of some of it I was able to pull it right out.
No cannon or mule hooked to the other end.
-MM-

 

[civilman1]

Nice chunk-o-chain(ge) Doug.Love anything CW...Nice find

 

[Tnmountains]

Be sure to check those old axe and hatchet heads for makers marks. They say the sound of an approaching army was the sound of axes. There was hardly a single tree left standing in my area during the war.

 

[ModernMiner]

Nice chunk-o-chain(ge) Doug.Love anything CW...Nice find

Thanks Joe.

Be sure to check those old axe and hatchet heads for makers marks. They say the sound of an approaching army was the sound of axes. There was hardly a single tree left standing in my area during the war.

Thanks TnM.
I have a book on old tools and have been keeping any that match the style of that era.
It has always amazed me how troops cleared so much land, and walked the distances they did. Unbelievable history!
-Doug-