If I had exact data regarding the material I gladly would have shared it. Other than I thought it was old. How old?...I have no idea nor did I make any claim. I just said that one blacksmith that I shared the images with, that supposedly had expertise in this area (nautical items), dated it to the late 1600s - early 1700s and said in his opinion it was Welsh or Irish in origin, had typical construction for nautical chain, and was used to weigh anchor on a brigantine size ship. He additionally said it was "old iron process."
That being said, if I thought the story ended there I would not have posted here. I am familiar with the great chain across the Hudson and I have seen a piece of it as I have spent time in that area visiting West Point. So now I have two conflicting opinions and dates - one smith saying 150 years later than the other and one saying anchor chain and the other raising the possibility of other industrial use. Myself, I just want to know when it was made, where, and why it is shaped like it is which is a bit unusual and not perfectly uniform with odd indentations that seem to have no function - and now, I would like to confirm the material as well. I have written maritime museums, a nautical research group, blacksmiths, and next on the list is Industrial archeology. Thanks for that thought. I think I will take a pass on any test that involves cutting it and leave the material in question for now. Best regards