How old is this chain for an old wagon?

[UnknownTreasures]

Anyone able to roughly age this style chain?

 

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[duggap]

I am guessing, but it looks like a sword hanger.

 

[confederate83]

Anyone able to roughly age this style chain?

Check the links is it welded or forged

 

[nhbenz]

I was thinking it was a log boom (for logging)

 

[cti4sw]

Seems to me there are online resources for evolution of many different odd things like shotgun shells, pull tabs, barbed wire, etc. but none for chains that I've seen. I also have some chain I'd love to see dated, looks similar to yours, incidentally enough.

 

[tennessee]

Can't tell size, but looks like a harness trace chain.

 

[taz42o]

I dont know of any way to tell the age of a trace chain I dont think they have changed in the last couple hundred years.

 

[BosnMate]

How long is it, how large are the links. If I'm seeing part of a coffee cup, then it's darn sure not heavy duty enough
to raft logs with. It could be a chain off the halter and lead for show cattle, off the lead for use on a stallion, a dogs
choke collar Need measurements for starters.

 

[H-2 CHARLIE]

a beaver trap chain

 

[Panache]

The wings on the ends should help identify the use.

 

[taz42o]

He already know what it is , Its a trace chain.
He wants to know the age.

As for size.
See the bottom of the blue bic lighter. Those are about an inch wide , making the toggles about 4 to 5" . Witch is the size of a trace chain toggle.

 

[taz42o]

I dont know how far back those type were used but at least early to mid 1800s and they were still commonly used in the early 1900s.

Antique Horse Hames with Brass Balls by CollectorsCoffer on Etsy

RARE Antique Rustic Farm Horse Mule Harness Collar Reins Yoke EXTRAS Deal | eBay

 

[BosnMate]

it's not trace chain. The length and size, and the links provided by Taz show it to be on the hames. I've never
used a chain like that on the hames, and don't know what it's called, but it darn sure isn't a trace chain, or as I was
corrected one time, a heel chain. Trace and or heel chains don't have toggles, where in the picture the chains being
used on the hames do have toggles.

 

[Tony in SC]

it's not trace chain. The length and size, and the links provided by Taz show it to be on the hames. I've never
used a chain like that on the hames, and don't know what it's called, but it darn sure isn't a trace chain, or as I was
corrected one time, a heel chain. Trace and or heel chains don't have toggles, where in the picture the chains being
used on the hames do have toggles.

BosnMate Is right. Old farm chains were straight link chains. This one is a twisted link chain. Twisted link chain will lay flat. I don't think it is realy old. Could be a piece of chain made up fo a special purpose. Tony

 

[UnknownTreasures]

BosnMate Is right. Old farm chains were straight link chains. This one is a twisted link chain. Twisted link chain will lay flat. I don't think it is realy old. Could be a piece of chain made up fo a special purpose. Tony

It was with some other chains and leathers used for a horse carriage, but was also in with a bunch of old animal traps.

 

[ModernMiner]

I have dug two "US" Civil War trace / artillery chains at a property here in NC where CW Union soldiers camped.
Below are the links to my two posts with photos and measurements.
I hope it helps some. The chain links on mine are NOT like yours.
Good luck with the ID.
-MM-

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/201388-6-feet-cw-history-missing-link-confirmed.html

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/269263-90-minutes-woodland-pleasure-video-too.html

 

[flinthunter]

I'm not sure about the ends but Newhouse animal traps had chains with similar links.

 

[taz42o]

it's not trace chain. The length and size, and the links provided by Taz show it to be on the hames. I've never
used a chain like that on the hames, and don't know what it's called, but it darn sure isn't a trace chain, or as I was
corrected one time, a heel chain. Trace and or heel chains don't have toggles, where in the picture the chains being
used on the hames do have toggles.

These chains are not used to hook up plows and buggies, they are for rolling loads such as limber chests and large wagons.
The chains You are talking about are for pulling but with rolling weight you have to be able to stop the load .
These front traces run from the hames or yoke collar to the neck yoke or pole(if yoke is not used)
There may be other names for them, yoke chains or pole chains maybe? but I call all the short chains used to hook animals to a load trace chains and from what I can tell, so does the U.S. Army.

If you look at these drawings you will see several types of trace chains with twisted links and toggles.

Lovett Artillery - US M 1918 Limber for the "French 75" mle/1897


You can find these chains on ebay listed as military and civil war. Im not sure about those claims though.
civil war trace chains - page 1 | WorthPoint

 

[taz42o]

Here is a pic of what you call heel chains , with toggles...

 

[kuger]

that is no trap chain either...just had this exact discussion the other day with a good friend.I have collected traps(and used them)for over 30 years

I beleive we found this exact item listed in the 1906 Sears Catalog as a Dog leash...new one on me...but I knew/know it has nothing to do with a trap