But wait, there's more!
Per the seller's ad:
"The chain is made of brass, with numbered, galvanized tags about every 5'.
Galvanized spike on each end. Wood spool to store it on."
All I can say is that Rich spotted this collectable* chain, obviously designed for the highly competitive mortgage surveyor, and I hope we all agree not to get in a bidding war with him over this trophy artifact of 20th-century mortgage surveying.
*(Collection in my neighborhood is on Tuesdays and Fridays).
While in College our first practical sessions included chain and offsett surveying, using real chains.
This is the first time I have seen one with this kind of link. The ones we used, and those that i have seen elsewhere, had longer links. I used to think it was fun throwing the chain and exagerated "sawing" through the grass to get a straight line. There was this one guy who behaved as though he thought the range pole was a javelin. Needless to say, our instructor was'nt very amused.
It looks like a soundings chain to me for checking water depth, it just doesn't have the dimpled end to pick up bottom sediment.
Looks like Plumbers Safety Chain
You can get at the big box DIY stores.
But wait, there's more!
Ok, that's funny! "collectible* indeed!"
Brand New Vintage
Amusing.
Paul in PA
Looks like Plumbers Safety Chain
It's actually sash chain, used to connect the counterweights to the sash in a double hung window.
It's important to get the details correct
Before you bid, be sure to read this update:
"On Jan-27-14 at 05:14:32 PST, seller added the following information:
"Update! Please Read!
"It has been brought to my attention that the chain material might be copper and not brass.
"I am not a metal expert, but I just wanted to make that known."