Abstract: An anti-kickback saw chain having a drop-away articulated depth gauge link preceeding each cutting or fibre removing link in a link sequence utilizing V-shaped cutter tooth links, each followed by a generally L-shaped raker tooth link. The depth gauge surface of the depth gauge link is spaced forwardly of the cutting tooth and the trailing edge thereof is located aft of the pivotal connection with the cutting tooth link when the pivot points of the links are aligned. The depth gauge link is designed to maintain cutting efficiency on the bar nose and to "drop away" from the kerf when an obstruction is encountered and to initiate a depth gauge restoring action with the associated cutting tooth so as to avoid jamming or locking of the chain and attendant kickback.