Well, it worked! This chain is plated steel and is typical of Type I chains in all respects (connectors, DRGM marking, SS "proof," etc.). The skull itself is slightly different than those more commonly seen. The upper bone ends touch the border, the "nose hole" is larger, the skull itself is larger, the "eye holes" are larger and of a different shape, the skull is rounder or not quite as ovate as usually seen. I have no doubt as to its authenticity and have never seen another like it. It may have been made during the shortage of M36 scabbards, shortly after that model was approved, and perhaps privately purchased. However, it makes no sense to me that it is made of steel. I would think a "jeweler's copy," or something similar, would have been made of a softer metal such as copper, brass, nickel-silver, etc. The chain, when viewed as a whole, is quite imposing.
