✅ SOLVED Chain - old or modern?

[callicles]

I found this in an old river channel where a steamer sunk back in the 1800's. But I know nothing about chains in order to determine if it dates to the wreck.

Is there a way to date chains? If so, could the experts here help me date it?

thanks for looking

 

[BosnMate]

That U bolt is really interesting. The two sizes of square nuts just screams hand made, blacksmith manufacture. I also think I see some grain in the bends of the bolt, hard to tell from the photo though. If it's not the steamer, you've found something really old.