Oneida Community Chain Manufacturers

[gallienus267]

Found in old park several years ago. Says Oneida Community limited Chain Manufacturers Niagara Falls. It has one hole at the top and 14 holes at the bottom. I have numbered the holes as this has the numbered incised in it. Would like to know what this is. Thank You

 

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[IndianaSmith]

The Oneida name was (and still is) best known for the manufacture of steel traps. They are known today as the Oneida- Victor Company. There's quite a bit of history with this company, as I have read in the book The Steel Trap in North America (by Richard Gerstell).

It looks to me like that is a sales tool, several samples of chain were connected to it so they could be shown at one time.

Smitty

 

[IndianaSmith]

After a little more reading, it seems in the early 1890's "improvements in a chainmaking machine invented by F.F. Ellis made possible the volume production of wire-link chain given the name Onedia Steel Wire Chain." That might give you a couple more avenues to search for.

That's a neat find for sure!
Smitty

 

[IndianaSmith]

Consolidation
Oneida's chain business was sold in 1912 and the silk industry was liquidated in 1913, when man-made substitutes for silk were invented. The company's canning business was discontinued in 1915 because it was unable to compete with large-scale modern production methods. But the consolidations enabled Oneida to open its first international factory, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 1916.
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That was from a Google search for "Oneida Steel Wire Chain"

Smitty

 

[jddave79]

It's a wire gauge.


HH -JD in WV

 

[PBK]

It's a wire gauge.
HH -JD in WV

If it were a wire gauge, wouldn't the holes be different sizes? In the photo, they all appear to be about the same.

 

[jddave79]

It's a wire gauge.
HH -JD in WV

If it were a wire gauge, wouldn't the holes be different sizes? In the photo, they all appear to be about the same.

Serves me right for not paying attention.....your correct (of course.) I would then lean towards some type of display with wire samples hanging from the holes. As stated above.

HH -JD in WV

 

[diggummup]

Very nice early advertising sampler. Used to display different sized wire samples for the chains they made from wire, used in making their animal traps. I'd say it's a pretty rare find.Here is a photo of a trap showing the chain-



The wire gauge goes from 0.16 of an inch ( 8 ) up to 0.464 of an inch (6/0) thick. Nice unique find.

 

[QUICKSILVER (appletree)]

So the different size chains in samples hung from their allocated holes, for prospective customers to look at.

 

[IndianaSmith]

Diggum-You ever catch any 'rats in that #1 Vic? Let me know if you need some more

Smitty