If you collect for story, engineering firsts, and Great Lakes naval history, this is the kind of piece you almost never see in the wild. This listing is for a vintage maritime relic presentation plaque featuring two heavy anchor chain links mounted to a hardwood board with an engraved identification plate. Engraved plate text includes. The back shows a trophy shop label from Erie, Pennsylvania. The label indicates it was produced by a local Erie trophy and engraving business. The shop name matches Zabrosky, a long established Erie business. Trophy shop context that matters. A published obituary for Frank Peter Zabrosky Sr. Notes he was a WWII U. Navy veteran (Machinist First Class), a certified watchmaker, and the owner of Zabrosky Jewelers and Trophy where he was known as a skilled hand engraver. That lines up well with the era and type of workmanship seen on this plaque. The chain links are. Very heavy and dense. Strongly sensitive to magnets. Forged industrial construction, not lightweight decorative casting. Stamped markings on BOTH links, including a circled R stamp plus additional faint characters (see close up photos). Those stamped marks are important because trophy shops do not stamp forged chain links. They engrave plates and mount items. The marks support that these are real industrial chain links, later mounted as a presentation piece. The gold toned surface appears to be a presentation finish that was applied at some point for display. I have not cleaned, polished, or altered the links because I did not want to disturb the finish or risk scratches. The chains are mounted with screws (pictured). WHY USS MICHIGAN MATTERS. First iron hulled warship of the United States Navy. USS Michigan is widely recognized as the United States Navy’s first iron hulled warship. Built in pieces, assembled in Erie. Erie is not a random location in the story. The launch day crowd and the “launched herself” story. On December 5, 1843, Michigan was launched at Erie. Then comes the part collectors love. By the next morning, Michigan was discovered floating offshore, having effectively launched herself in the night. What caused that overnight launch. My cautious, common sense interpretation is that the hull’s mass, combined with the way it was sitting on the timber ways and blocking, created enough stress that the supports eventually failed after the work crews stopped. Long Great Lakes service and name change. Michigan served for decades on the Great Lakes and was later renamed USS Wolverine. The final trip incident. Historical accounts describe that on her last journey, Wolverine rammed and sank the tug towing her, then stopped and rescued the crew. Good vintage condition with expected age wear. Chain shows oxidation, surface texture, and wear consistent with age and industrial chain material. Stamped marks visible on both links, including circled R stamp. Plate shows age wear and discoloration. Please review all photos carefully. Photos are part of the description. You will receive exactly what is shown. Approximate plaque size: 12 x 9 inches. The plaque identifies the chain as USS Michigan. I cannot independently document provenance beyond the engraved plate, the Erie trophy shop mounting, and the physical characteristics and stamped markings on the links. This item is heavy and will be packed extremely well. Thanks for looking, and if you have any questions or want any specific photo angles, just message me.