Help to date and identify chain type ......

[Tango Kilo]

Looking for a little help guys. Our team is assisting with an artifact recovery project in Virginia at a historical site. This length (28") of chain was recovered at 6 inches depth and we would like to identify the age and chain type. It appears to be a chain of a "hanging" or suspension type as the links are not joined by any mechanical means or heated (forged) connection. (See third link from the left). The chain would not have supported a lot of weight. The link shape is somewhat unique in that they are not oval or round but a six sided affair and each link settling in the notches on each end of the length. It appears to be iron. Also, there was never any electricity or utilities at this site. The house on this property was destroyed by fire in 1848 and the property has remained undeveloped with no photos or any type of written documentation of the structures. This chain was found near the detached kitchen area, also not in existance.
We are hoping that the experience and knowledge of the forum participants will help with the identification of this type of chain and the age. It is very important to our documented cause for accurate information.

Thanks folks.

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Will a magnet stick? It sure looks like the cheap chains used for hanging lamps, ceiling fan wires or hanging flower pots. My suggestion would be to go to Home Depot and try to compare.

Im not saying its modern but it resembles those hanging chains used in the 70s and maybe still used today.

 

[Tango Kilo]

Thanks for the reply. YES a magnet sticks to the chain. This is in no way a modern chain as I mentioned in my description, "No electricity". This chain is iron, not steel or pot metal. While I appreciate your opinion on the chain very much, I am trying not to be insulted that someone would reply that it is to be compared to something at Home Depot. We are professionals doing our thing with a historical foundation and I was hoping for non-opinionated, accurate responses. We have to provide a documented detail and account of our finds. I know it's a chain, FACT. We are not just playing around. Accuracy is important and this is one of the items found that questioned our knowledge and references for the period. That's like saying that if we find a rose head or a spatula nail, go to Home Depot and see if they have one to match because it is a nail? Thanks again. I think?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thanks for the reply. YES a magnet sticks to the chain. This is in no way a modern chain as I mentioned in my description, "No electricity". This chain is iron, not steel or pot metal. While I appreciate your opinion on the chain very much, I am trying not to be insulted that someone would reply that it is to be compared to something at Home Depot. We are professionals doing our thing with a historical foundation and I was hoping for non-opinionated, accurate responses. We have to provide a documented detail and account of our finds. I know it's a chain, FACT. We are not just playing around. Accuracy is important and this is one of the items found that questioned our knowledge and references for the period. That's like saying that if we find a rose head or a spatula nail, go to Home Depot and see if they have one to match because it is a nail? Thanks again. I think?

You need to calm down Tango because it so very unprofessional. I am in no way trying to insult you. I am only looking at a picture.

Can you please describe to me (and the readers) what is different between this and a modern chain? Keep in mind that I never said that your chain is modern. I merely stated that the picture resembles the 6 sided cheap chains used in the 70s that are not welded and do not support any weight. Do you know the type of chain I am referring to?

You never know how an item arrived at a site. Depth is also practically meaningless.

I am glad that we both agree that its a chain and we now know that a magnet sticks..

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I want to say that Im living and working in the Everglades so I wont be able to post here much. Myself I have no hard feelings and I dont want you to think that, if I no longer post. Good luck with your project and identification. I will try to check back in a few days or next week.

Try not to discourage any posting. Hopefully my reply, no matter how useless or wrong it may appear, will get the ball rolling toward a correct identification.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-35-...363?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item566008edd3

 

[flinthunter]

You say the chain is iron and not steel. Do you mean cast iron. I've never seen a cast iron chain. Cast iron links would have been cast separately and been very difficult to form into a chain. Even though the property has been unoccupied since 1848 doesn't mean people have not thrown away their unwanted junk on it. I am constantly cleaning up others discarded junk on our property that borders a seldom used road.

 

[BigBiloxi]

Well played BCH !!! Looks like you can even see the split in the third link of the original picture. Sometimes no matter how hard you want it be something good it just turns out to be JUNK...........lol

 

[Helix]

I'm seeing a split in the second and third link just like the chain in BCH's pic. One thing that I was thinking of is the way the modern chain was put together. If chain like that was mass produced wouldn't there be a pattern to the way the chain was linked. Now if Kilo's chain was put together in that same pattern and was exactly the same size and both were magnetic..... HHMMM?? Not that that would prove anything, its just a thought I had.

 

[gunsil]

TK, how do you know it's iron and not steel? Only an analytical metallurgy test could tell you that. Steel has been around for a thousand years. I agree with others in that there are many items found in the ground that are much newer than an old site, and one cannot be certain that all items from a site are as old as the site. You wish to have FACTS you say. Well, it is a fact that you have a piece of old rusty chain. It is also a fact that most likely you will never be able to prove it's age. Quite possibly a later trapper had it on a leg trap for a small animal like a fox. There would not be a welded link chain needed to hold a small animal trap. I have found many chains in the woods, some with rusted out traps attached, and some without. Also the "fancy" links in your chain appear to be machine made, not at all hand forged.

 

[gunsil]

You say the chain is iron and not steel. Do you mean cast iron. I've never seen a cast iron chain. Cast iron links would have been cast separately and been very difficult to form into a chain. Even though the property has been unoccupied since 1848 doesn't mean people have not thrown away their unwanted junk on it. I am constantly cleaning up others discarded junk on our property that borders a seldom used road.

Flint, there were chains made of wrought iron, not cast iron. The chains used to impede the progress of British ships up the Hudson river in the Rev war were made of wrought iron with welded links. Wrought iron though, when rusted shows a sort of wood grain appearance due to the forged structure of the metal. TK's chain doesn't show this type of rust pattern and in my opinion is made from common mild steel.

 

[flinthunter]

You're right gunsil. Thanks for pointing that out. I hadn't thought of wrought iron. Working in a machine shop for 30 years, when someone mentions iron, the first thing that pops into my mind is cast iron.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

lol Helix. We are all just posting our thoughts. A lot of good information here on this thread and its all part of a continuous learning process.. Accuracy is extremely important at TN too. Members here are all willing to help but we can take it no further without any more input from you, Tango. I hope you come back.

 

[BosnMate]

I didn't read the post before I looked at the picture. My first thought was back when I was first married we had a light
hanging on a chain just like that one. That was about 56 years ago. I have found wrought iron artifacts, and the grain
can be seen in the rust. Your chain looks like mild steel to me. Research fire place cooking chains, which is the only other
thing I can think of that might not have welded links. Square material, one inch links not welded sure seems like 100 years
after 1848. There's been 160 plus years for all sorts of stuff to have contaminated the site, for who knows what reason, except
people are people and throw away what they don't want.

 

[kuger]

TK, how do you know it's iron and not steel? Only an analytical metallurgy test could tell you that. Steel has been around for a thousand years. I agree with others in that there are many items found in the ground that are much newer than an old site, and one cannot be certain that all items from a site are as old as the site. You wish to have FACTS you say. Well, it is a fact that you have a piece of old rusty chain. It is also a fact that most likely you will never be able to prove it's age. Quite possibly a later trapper had it on a leg trap for a small animal like a fox. There would not be a welded link chain needed to hold a small animal trap. I have found many chains in the woods, some with rusted out traps attached, and some without. Also the "fancy" links in your chain appear to be machine made, not at all hand forged.

I guarantee that has nothing to do with any trap....and a Fox can exert several hundred lbs per square inch in pull....