This item is a mystery to me, I would be delighted to hear from anyone who knows it's true purpose. I believe it to be a measuring device which consists of a long length of chain with nicely shaped brass or bronze handles at each end. Along the length of the chain there are various shaped tags or markers.
When I can find my long tape measure I will add accurate measurements to this listing
as I think that the spacing of the markers and length of the chain may shed some more
light on this item. Pics to follow!
Please take a look at my other quirky, vintage items listed.
On 07-May-08 at 00:17:43 BST, seller added the following information:I have now investigated the history of this item and, thanks to a metal detectors website I have discovered the follow information:
Edmund Gunter invented the surveying chain in the 1620's, it was commonly used as
1. A land surveying instrument
2. A unit of distance for measuring railway landmarks such as bridges etc.
3. A Cricket pitch.
A Gunter's Chain made up of 100x links of 7.92" or 66ft in total
1x Link= 7.92" 1x Chain= 100 links =66ft
10x Chains = 1x furlong 80x Chains = 1x Mile
10sq Chains = 1x Acre
The brass tags or tallies are used to mark every 10 links in the following way
10 links= Single point tag
20 links= Two point tag
30 links= Three point tag
40 links= Four point tag
50 links is the centre of the chain and is marked by a circular tag, the system then
works in the same way from the other end of the chain.
Each end features a brass carrying handle.
Here endeth the maths/surveying lesson!
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