Chicago Brand Swivels

About Chicago Brand Rigging and Marine Hardware

Chicago Brand is the product line of the Chicago Hardware and Fixture Company, a U.S. manufacturer of wire rope and chain fittings, industrial and marine hardware. The company has been a Chicago fixture since 1912; it was founded by John A. Herbstritt as the Chicago Warehouse and Silo Fixture Co. and took its current name in 1926. Chicago Brand parts turn up wherever loads need to be lifted, secured or connected: on workshop hoists, trailers, farm equipment, docks and boats.

Forged Strength and Galvanized Protection

The range centers on drop forged steel components, and the catalog notes that eye, jaw and hook fittings are heat treated. Many items, such as the ringbolts, eyebolts, turnbuckles and swivels in this line, are finished in hot dip galvanizing, which adds a zinc barrier against rust. That matters for anything exposed to rain, road salt or saltwater, and it is one reason rigging hardware like this is popular in marine and outdoor use.

Core Product Categories

Connecting links are a cornerstone of the line, and Chicago Brand shackles give you a dependable way to join chain, rope and rigging components. Where wire rope forms a loop, thimbles hold the rope's natural curve and protect it from the crushing and abrasion that shorten cable life.

For rotating loads, swivels let a line or chain turn without twisting. Quick-connect hardware is covered by fixed eye snaps, which are drop forged snap hooks suited to chain and line attachments. For terminating cable, wire rope sleeves and clamps, including malleable and drop forged wire rope clips, are the go-to choice for forming secure loops and eyes.

Shopping Tips for Rigging Hardware

• Match the rating to the job: check the working load limit of every component in the assembly, not just one piece.
• Size the clip to the rope: wire rope clips are sized to the cable diameter, and larger cable needs more clips per termination with a specified turnback length.
• Consider the environment: galvanized finishes suit outdoor and marine exposure, while indoor or dry use has more flexibility.
• Know the application: light-duty clips and hardware are not substitutes for fittings intended for overhead lifting.

With straightforward, no-frills designs and U.S. manufacturing roots, Chicago Brand remains a practical choice for anyone building or maintaining rope, cable and chain assemblies.