About this item
The Schlage 999478 is a commercial series cinch ring security chain with a 1/2" shackle and 5' of braided steel vinyl-coated chain. The cinch ring design creates an adjustable loop that tightens around the secured object rather than operating at a fixed chain length between two fixed points. The lock head is die-cast zinc in 407 satin finish. The cylinder is a conventional Key-In-Lever 6-pin solid brass design, pinned to 5, in the Schlage C keyway and keyed different (KD) as the standard stocked configuration. Two nickel silver keys branded Schlage ship with every unit.
What a cinch ring chain is and how it differs from a standard security chain
A standard security chain has two fixed ends: one attaches to the padlock shackle and the other loops through the fixed anchor point and the secured object. The chain length is fixed and the user works with whatever span the chain provides between those two attachment points. A cinch ring chain operates differently. The ring slides along the chain and creates a loop that adjusts to the size of what it's securing. The loop tightens around a fence post, gate frame, bicycle frame, equipment bracket, or other object, and the excess chain feeds through the lock head or ring rather than hanging loose.
This design is more practical in field applications where the user is securing objects of different sizes or shapes and doesn't want excess chain creating slack that an attacker can use as leverage. A tighter fit between the chain and the secured object reduces the space available to work a cutting tool, making the practical cut resistance higher than the chain's raw material specification alone would suggest.
Braided steel vinyl coating vs twisted cable and why it matters
The 999478 chain uses braided steel construction with a vinyl coating. The product page notes specifically that braided steel provides greater cut resistance than twisted cables. Twisted cables are constructed from multiple wire strands wound around a central core in a helical pattern. When a cutting tool is applied, it contacts individual strands sequentially and can work through them with less resistance than a tightly braided construction where the strands are interlocked. Braided steel requires more cutting force per cross-sectional area because the interlocked strands resist deformation and separation as a unit rather than yielding strand by strand.
The vinyl coating serves a different function: it protects the chain from corrosion, reduces surface noise and scratching on the secured object's finish, and provides a grip surface during handling. The coating also makes it harder to judge the precise cut point visually, which provides a modest deterrent advantage over bare metal chains in opportunistic theft scenarios.
Cylinder, keyway, and ordering configurations
The standard stocked configuration is keyed different (KD) in the Schlage C keyway with a conventional Key-In-Lever 6-pin solid brass cylinder, pinned to 5 tumblers. The cylinder finish is 606 satin brass. Two nickel silver cut keys ship per unit. The Schlage C keyway is one of the most widely distributed commercial and residential keyways in North America, which means replacement cylinders, key blanks, and rekeying services are broadly available through locksmith networks.
For non-KD keying configurations such as keyed alike or master keyed, cylinders must be ordered as a separate line item from the chain unit. Confirm your keying requirement at ordering. For the full range of Schlage padlock and security chain products available on this site, browse the Schlage padlocks catalog. The complete padlocks section covers chain, shackle, and disc-style padlocks from all manufacturers. For the broader range of commercial locks and security hardware available on this site, that catalog covers the full selection.
Confirm your keying option before ordering. The 999478 ships KD as the standard configuration. Non-KD cylinders require a separate line item order.
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