Description:
- Object ID: ALSA 2008.03.13
- Made by: Chesterman, Sheffield, England
- Model: unknown.
- Serial Number: unknown.
- Date Made: unknown
- Approximate size: length 66 feet
- Accessories: leather strap to hold bundle together.
- Condition: good
Commentary:
The Gunter’s Chain was developed in England by Edward Gunter in 1620 and was used into the 20th Century for property surveys.
Its 66 length is comprised of 100 links with each each link being 7.92 inches (0.66 feet) long. There are brass pull handles on each end. the links are made of stiff steel wire Guage 10 (0.3cm. 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.” . The handles are marked “4P” indicating a four pole chain.. A pole is a is a historic term for a unit of measurement dating back to ancient Rome. It’s length was standardized as a quarter of a chain by Edmund Gunter
Source of Object: Donated by Kinloch Underwood & Associates Ltd.
Notes: The Society has two other Gunter chains: ALSA 2008.15.01 (Lou Breton) and AGHS 2024.04.01 (replica purchased by Society). Another chain ALSA 2018.01.07 originally belonging to C.H. Weir is with the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association.
References: Visit article Gunter’s Chain – a legacy of three centuries for additional information.
Description by: Ed Titanich on January 7, 2025 and Gordon Olsson on October 30, 2025.