What is this chain for?

[iSpark]

Hi
Anyone know what a chain like this would have been used for?
It's 34" long and the end pieces are about 4 1/2".

 

[toolin' around]

Don’t know, but judging from the shape of the fobs on each end (that’s what they’d be called if they were on a watch chain... smaller versions of course!) it looks like they were designed to pass through a hole, maybe in lumber or a board, then lock flat on the other side. Obviously intended to do the same thing on either end, so the length was intended to be fixed.

Maybe holding two component at a fixed distance on a pice of farm equipment or machinery. Or a removable chain on a buggy board or ramp?

Can’t wait to see what the expert who actually knows the answer will say!!!

 

[Tinner]

A chain garrote.

 

[shoeless]

I swear I’ve seen something similar used to hold a spool. Pass one end though the hole in the spool and then it hangs sideways supported by the bar on the side of the spool.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Something from a pirate ship looking that that chain.

 

[Old Steamer]

Part of a single or double tree for hitching a horse or horses?

I have one just like that except one end has a small pulley attached.

 

[iSpark]

I found it in a box of junk at my dads, he couldn't remember what it is, or what it's used for.

 

[LXCam]

Antique boat clear chain. Slide the pin thru the center of the cleats and done

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Boom chain.

 

[C lectric]

Looks very like a boom chain used in log towing operations. Used to tie or connect boom sticks together to encircle the loose logs making up the boom.

THe sticks were the logs used to encircle the logs to be towed.

The boom assemblers would drill a large hole in the 2 ends of the stick and when assembling the logs into the boom they would drop the chain cross bar through the hole in one stick, the bar would turn horizontal so it won't pull back through, then they would drop the bar through the hole in another stick and so on untill they surrounded the logs to be towed.

Then the tug would attach to one of the boom sticks and slowly tow the boom to where ever.

No, I am not a logger but have seen lots of that work being done and seen the boom chains in use.

 

[iSpark]

Talking with my dad some more. He wants to say it was used on the farm hitching horses to plows or wagons.

 

[Treeman]

It certainly looks similar to a horse hames chain:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-primitve-horse-gear-hand-411667482

https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m43...MIxbXm3--_7QIVSPLjBx2BWgbzEAQYAyABEgKpdPD_BwE

https://www.sportscards.com/item/ir...ss-yoke-marked-cleveland-antique/113483397891

 

[TailGunner3000]

Seems too short for a boom chain. More likely a simple towing chain from a time before bow shackles or sling hooks.

 

[TailGunner3000]

It certainly looks similar to a horse hames chain:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-primitve-horse-gear-hand-411667482

https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m43...MIxbXm3--_7QIVSPLjBx2BWgbzEAQYAyABEgKpdPD_BwE

Or that! ^^^

 

[iSpark]

Treeman's post matches up to what my dad thought it was for.
Thanks!

 

[C lectric]

Not a boom chain , sorry

 

[toolin' around]

Yep, Treeman wins the cupie doll!!!
You’re dad’s returning memory is pretty good!

 

[Speedbird]

Treeman FTW. One of the many components of workhorse or mule harness