Abstract: Significant length adjustment is achieved in a facile manner in connection with an expansible chain comprising upper and lower layers of links, each link extending generally laterally of said chain and arranged longitudinally to define the length of said chain, the links of said upper layer having a dimension in the direction of said chain length greater than that of the links of said lower layer so that when said chain is contracted adjacent links of said upper layer engage one another and gaps are produced between the links of said lower layer, an end of said chain being slidably telescopable into a housing having an articulately mounted retaining member which when disengaged from said chain end permits telescoping movement of said chain end with respect to said housing to adjust the effective chain length and which when moved to retaining position engages said chain in the gap between the adjacent links of said lower layer, thereby fixing said chain within said housing without distortion of or damage to sa