Fine EARLY 66 Foot (4 Pole) LAND SURVEYOR (Gunter) CHAIN, Marked VR 464 N, 1860
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:15478304 |
A fine and rare collector's land surveyor / Gunter chain 22 yards in length with all the links intact; both brass swivel handles marked 66 Ft. VR 464 N (photos 3, 5, 6 and 7), fine condition, English, circa 1860.
VR 464 N is apparently a verification mark. A wide range of items which relied on accurate measurements, including pewter tavern measures, mocha mugs, gunter chains and the like-anything which used a standard unit of measuremen...t - were stamped with these verification marks. The number actually refers to different counties in the UK - apparently the number 464 relates specifically to the county of Wiltshire so it means that this chain was located and used in Wiltshire, maybe in an official government or local capacity like railway or property surveying.
We are pleased to be able to offer this fine, early and highly collectable land surveyor’s chain. This chain consists of 100 individual links, each link connected by three oval iron rings (photo #8) and three evenly spaced swivel links (photo #9) and two brass swivel handles (photo 2). The lheavy professional inks measure 0.17275 inches thick (measured with electronic micrometer). This chain measures 66 feet in length which equals 4 ‘poles’ or ‘1 chain’. 66 foot chains are also called ‘Gunter’s chains’. Edmund Gunter of England initiated its common use for measuring land boundaries in the early 1600s. Early land survey records in the American colonies were also recorded in ‘Chains’. 1 chain by 10 chains = 1 acre. One mile = 80 chains. The use of the 66 foot chain was confined chiefly for land surveying because of its relationship with the acre. Early American property parcels were all described in 'chains'.
This surveyor / Gunter chain is in 'as found' original condition. This is a great surveyors chain in outstanding original condition as you can see in the 12 photos provided. There are no tally tags with this chain and the condition is unexpectedly GOOD with only light rust (ass seen in the 12 photos). Some of the links have bends which could be easily straightened. We are selling this historically fascinating Gunter chain WITHOUT RESERVE - so good luck with your bid if you are an advanced collector or a land surveyor. Precious and Few!
International Buyers – Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
VR 464 N is apparently a verification mark. A wide range of items which relied on accurate measurements, including pewter tavern measures, mocha mugs, gunter chains and the like-anything which used a standard unit of measuremen...t - were stamped with these verification marks. The number actually refers to different counties in the UK - apparently the number 464 relates specifically to the county of Wiltshire so it means that this chain was located and used in Wiltshire, maybe in an official government or local capacity like railway or property surveying.
We are pleased to be able to offer this fine, early and highly collectable land surveyor’s chain. This chain consists of 100 individual links, each link connected by three oval iron rings (photo #8) and three evenly spaced swivel links (photo #9) and two brass swivel handles (photo 2). The lheavy professional inks measure 0.17275 inches thick (measured with electronic micrometer). This chain measures 66 feet in length which equals 4 ‘poles’ or ‘1 chain’. 66 foot chains are also called ‘Gunter’s chains’. Edmund Gunter of England initiated its common use for measuring land boundaries in the early 1600s. Early land survey records in the American colonies were also recorded in ‘Chains’. 1 chain by 10 chains = 1 acre. One mile = 80 chains. The use of the 66 foot chain was confined chiefly for land surveying because of its relationship with the acre. Early American property parcels were all described in 'chains'.
This surveyor / Gunter chain is in 'as found' original condition. This is a great surveyors chain in outstanding original condition as you can see in the 12 photos provided. There are no tally tags with this chain and the condition is unexpectedly GOOD with only light rust (ass seen in the 12 photos). Some of the links have bends which could be easily straightened. We are selling this historically fascinating Gunter chain WITHOUT RESERVE - so good luck with your bid if you are an advanced collector or a land surveyor. Precious and Few!
International Buyers – Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
