half-length Gunter's chain
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Inventory Number: 2000-1-0037
Classification: Surveying Chain
Subject:
Maker: American ?
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
extended: 80.8 cm (31 13/16 in.)
bundled: 6.5 × 27.9 × 11.4 cm (2 9/16 × 11 × 4 1/2 in.)
blue board box: 8.6 × 36.8 × 24.6 cm (3 3/8 × 14 1/2 × 9 11/16 in.)
Accessories: leather belt
Description:
Chain of fifty thin iron rods with loops at both ends, joined by iron loops. Large iron handles at both ends of the chain. Links are of equal length except near the middle of the chain, where a triangular link connects two shorter links. A pointed brass tag is attached to the tenth link. The chain is bundled together with a leather belt.
Some rust on the chain.
Some rust on the chain.
Signedunsigned
FunctionUsed to measure horizontal distances. The triangular link in the center of the chain marks a "rod" or "perch"--one-fourth of a full (66-foot) chain.