Denny
The 49 GMC did not belong to me, but was listed for sale on e-Bay a couple of years ago. I drove up to northern Tennessee to photograph it for documentation to help me with my restoration of my '52 GMC. It was a completely original paint and upholstery vehicle with only 2700 miles on it. It even had the original US Royal tires, including spare tire, it left the factory with on it. I don't believe the black finished tail gate chains would have been replaced.
'49 GMC Take a few minutes and look through the album on this truck and I think you will agree it is/was a time capsule. So, I still believe that black tail gate chains were the standard finish for at least some factories prior to 1954.
