Historical information

Before metrication was introduced into Australia in the 1970s land was measured in chains and links.
Many old parish plans show length measurements in chains and links. Area was shown in acres, roods and perches.
Gunter's chain was used for measuring distance in surveying. It was designed and introduced in 1620 by English clergyman and mathematician Edmund Gunter (1581–1626).
Gunter developed the measuring chain of 100 links. The chain and the link, became statutory measures in England and subsequently the British Empire.
After metrication units of length were measured in meters and area in hectares.
The chain was later superseded by steel ribbon tape.

Physical description

The 66 foot long brass Gunter's Chain is divided into 100 links (each 7.92 inches long), and marked off into groups of 10 by shaped tags which simplify intermediate measurement.
It was heavy but flexible enough to be dragged through the bush on surveying transects.(Hence the common forestry term "chainman).
The chain was a precision part of a surveyor's equipment. It required frequent calibration, yet needed to be sturdy enough to be dragged through rough terrain for years.
It has brass hand grips at each end of chain.
1 chain = 100 links = 22 yards = 66 feet = 792 inches.
10 chains = furlong
80 chains = 1 mile
1 acre = 10 square chains = 4 roods (1/4 acre) = 40 perches.