Over the years I have dug dozens and dozens of chain. I thought I knew them until I unearthed this one. The hook is not typical of any I have dug and the opposing end is even more bewildering. Evidently at one time there was wood inside the sleeve as there are two rivets that would have held the wood in place. The odd part is, it's only 1" in diameter, and the wood would not have been strong enough to be able to haul a log. I thought it might be a choker chain. But it was found along an old logging RR grade and the normal choker chain I find are a lot longer. Any thoughts.
Interesting...I found the "hook",and was confused as why the odd shape?I was told that the hook was hammered into the log so it could be dragged....or..."WITH THE USE OF A POLE ON THE CHAIN...used to roll the log?Why not use a Cant hook I dunno
M.X.T , Tesoro Tejon 4"& 2.5" dredge with a little luck!!
That was attached to the end of a singletree .. There was one at each end. As the horse/horses, pulled forward, the hooks would bury themselves into the log.
That makes sense!
M.X.T , Tesoro Tejon 4"& 2.5" dredge with a little luck!!
I know nothing about logging tools, but could it have been a hand tool of some kind? Kinda like a Peavey but with the chain and hook?
‘‘A government resting on the minority is an aristocracy, not a Republic, and could not be safe with a numerical and physical force against it, without a standing army, an enslaved press and a disarmed populace.’’
it's not a single tree. Having worked in a log mill for 31 years, my guess is it's a peavey related tool, although I confess I don't know how it would work with that length of chain, unless they were rolling a really big log. Peavey's are hand tools for rolling logs on to or off of conveyors, or anyplace brute strength is needed to move a log. I've never seen one with a chain, but perhaps they pre date me. My thought on the peavey angle is the iron work that would receive the handle. To be used as a peavey would require a wood handle at least the length of a shovel, and the handle needs to be rather heavy duty. Your avatar also show what it might be half of. I don't know, it's kind of a stumper.
it's not a single tree. Having worked in a log mill for 31 years, my guess is it's a peavey related tool, although I confess I don't know how it would work with that length of chain, unless they were rolling a really big log. Peavey's are hand tools for rolling logs on to or off of conveyors, or anyplace brute strength is needed to move a log. I've never seen one with a chain, but perhaps they pre date me. My thought on the peavey angle is the iron work that would receive the handle. To be used as a peavey would require a wood handle at least the length of a shovel, and the handle needs to be rather heavy duty. Your avatar also show what it might be half of. I don't know, it's kind of a stumper.
I said "cant hook",I guess I meant Peavey....when I built log homes we called em Cant's
M.X.T , Tesoro Tejon 4"& 2.5" dredge with a little luck!!
it's not a single tree. Having worked in a log mill for 31 years, my guess is it's a peavey related tool, although I confess I don't know how it would work with that length of chain, unless they were rolling a really big log. Peavey's are hand tools for rolling logs on to or off of conveyors, or anyplace brute strength is needed to move a log. I've never seen one with a chain, but perhaps they pre date me. My thought on the peavey angle is the iron work that would receive the handle. To be used as a peavey would require a wood handle at least the length of a shovel, and the handle needs to be rather heavy duty. Your avatar also show what it might be half of. I don't know, it's kind of a stumper.
I said "cant hook",I guess I meant Peavey....when I built log homes we called em Cant's
Exactly the same tool. it's like some say "spade" and others say "shovel." I was wondering if this particular chain hook setup could have been used in some way for erecting log buildings?
Some good responses. A lot of the chains I find are from the same logging outfits from 120 years ago and they are all the same style. So why this odd ball one is whats so confusing. Peaveys and cant hooks can be confusing, A peavy is has a point on the end and a cant hook is blunt. And there again I have never found a cant hook only peavies. I have poured over hundreds of old logging photos over the years and all they used were peavies, never a cant hook
I was looking at the piece and would like to bring up a few questions that might help. First off the part that had the wood, the first two links in the part looks like they were hand hammered links. The rest of the chain except for the 4th link from the bend looks newer until the first link on the hook which looks hand hammered. I'm not saying it's not old because it looks old to me, but could this piece be something someone took two old pieces and put them together for a purpose that they needed if for? Maybe that's why it's hard to find another tool like it. Just a thought. I live in a town that was made from the logging boom in the 1800's and haven't seen a tool like that. Nice find I would be happy to show it off.
Wolverine.
You're very observative Mich. Wolverine. I didn't even pay attention that there are different links. Probably because it's common to find chains with different links fastened with a repair link. Several times I found chains repaired with wire wrapped through the links. Both ends of this chain have hand forged links, different from the rest of the chain. And you're probably right that it was made for a certain purpose. The hook is odd from any in this area. I am posting a very common grab hook from here. I don't think it would have been used for hauling ice as it was found a mile up a run. Loggers back then would dig a hole in the shady side of a hill to serve as a spring house to keep food cool.
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Originally Posted by creskol
That makes sense!
All the pulling apparatus I have seen on Oxen and such is from the center
