Description:
- Object ID: ALSA 2008.03.13
- Made by: Chesterman, Sheffield, England
- Model: Unknown.
- Serial Number: Unknown.
- Date Made: used from around 1620 until the early 1900’s.
- Approximate size: each link is 7.92 inches in length
- Accessories: leather strap to hold bundle together.
- Condition: good
Commentary:
The Gunter’s Chain, designed in England by Edward Gunter in 1620. It was used into the 20th Century for property surveys. 100 link Gunters chain. Chain is held in a bundle by a leather strap. It is a series of connected 100 looped rods and links with brass pull handles on each end. It is made of stiff steel wire .10 (0.3cm) in diameter. There are marker tags at the 10, 20, 30, 40 link positions on both sides of the center marker (50 links). The marker tags have points to indicate the distance from the end of the chain, For example the 10 link marker tag has one point and the 20 link marker tag has two points.
A tag on the chain is marked “Chesterman, Sheffield, England” TBC. The handles are marked “4P” indicating a four pole chain.
Source of Object: Donated by Kinloch Underwood & Associates Ltd.
Notes: The Society has 5 other Gunter chains in various condition, ALSA 2014.02.01 (S.M. Loeppky), ALSA 2008.15.01 (Lou Breton), ALSA 2018.01.07 (Weir Collection), ALSA 2008.15.01 (Lou Breton) and AGHS 2024.04.01 (replica purchased by Society).
References: Visit article Gunter’s Chain – a legacy of three centuries for additional information.
Description by: Updated by Ed Titanich on January 7, 2025.