Trying to find info on this chain

[C1070RS]

I'm new to the Garage Journal (referred to this site by user Homebody) and was looking for info regarding some chain I found in one of our barns. It's about .375 cross section square twisted chain, I believe its really old and its 100 feet long. I've attached a couple photos I just took. Would like to find out what its called and what its worth.
I'm going thru 4 barns that my father-in-law owned and filled with all sorts of cool stuff, he was pretty much a hoarder. He passed away and I'm in charge of going thru it all and selling stuff.
Looking forward to learning a lot on this forum

Brian

 

[woody 73]

Truckers chain =20 feet in length.
Logging chain=25 feet in length.

The 100 feet has me somewhat surprised.

Look over a few of the chain links and look for a makers mark of some kind, letters, symbols, etc. and get back with us. It could be he bought or found a large coil of chain and never cut it into smaller lengths???

 

[MShaw]

Could also have been used for an electric manure drop cleaner.

 

[C1070RS]

I will have a closer look this afternoon. Thank you for the replies!

 

[C1070RS]

Truckers chain =20 feet in length.
Logging chain=25 feet in length.

The 100 feet has me somewhat surprised.

Look over a few of the chain links and look for a makers mark of some kind, letters, symbols, etc. and get back with us. It could be he bought or found a large coil of chain and never cut it into smaller lengths???

Well, unfortunately I looked it over closely and dont see any types of marks, just a rectangular shape where each link is closed. There is a line scribed on the end of a few of them.

 

[Jolomite]

I would like to suggest either a soak in your rust dissolver of choice or a tumble cleaning. I would bet that 100' of that chain is too heavy to seal in a five gallon bucket and shake up.

Not that I really know anything about chain, but I would be surprised if it was marked in any way. It does appear welded? So that at least tells you it was factory made- 1920s onward?

The square profile is very interesting so I am curious to see if any clues emerge after a cleaning. Thank you for sharing your story.

 

[why worry]

it almost looks like bulk material for cross links on tire chains

 

[wrenchguy]

it almost looks like bulk material for cross links on tire chains

this. i seen that link pattern on a tractor.

 

[Larryjones]

Reminds me of chain used on old harness and halters.

 

[Shiftless]

Post some pics of his old bench vises!

I have about 20 feet of old chain I got from the estate of my FIL. Sitting now in a HD bucket. Might be worth not much more than scrap value.

 

[Farmer J.]

it almost looks like bulk material for cross links on tire chains

Yes. I thought it looked familiar..

Horse harness chain often has links twisted so as they lay flat like these do, but the links are round profile not square and usually more 'open'.
Tyre chain with the square profile links grips better on ice i suppose..

 

[Ramper]

I too think it is bulk tire chain cross links. They are called twisted square links.

Looks like it retails for over $5/foot

 

[thehorse13]

Spot on identification. It's commercial grade tire chain. At the place where I worked as a kid, they would put this stuff on the dump trucks and other heavy duty vehicles.

 

[C1070RS]

Post some pics of his old bench vises!

I have about 20 feet of old chain I got from the estate of my FIL. Sitting now in a HD bucket. Might be worth not much more than scrap value.

I do have some old monster bench vises! Will snap a few photos and post them.

 

[C1070RS]

Spot on identification. It's commercial grade tire chain. At the place where I worked as a kid, they would put this stuff on the dump trucks and other heavy duty vehicles.

Sooo, what should I ask for this 100 foot piece? Or should I sell it in smaller lengths? Would like to sell it to someone who would appreciate it and is a vintage tool type of person.

 

[C1070RS]

Post some pics of his old bench vises!

Ask and ye shall receive, here are some vice pics..

 

[Billythekid1]

I think that's a 6" Wilton it's worth some cash!!!