A notorious chain dropper!

[Josephine]

I've just come across this appellation for the first time; does anyone know what it means?

Caledonian Mercury
Sat., Aug. 5, 1843

"CHAIN DROPPING. -- Yesterday, Alexander Muir, brother of a notorious chain dropper, who was a few days ago convicted here, was brought from Glasgow by the police on a charge of having practised his nefarious trade recently in Broughton Street."

This particular Muir doesn't belong in my tree (as far as I know), so I'm not tracking him or anything; I'm just curious about the charge.

It seems to have had something to do with gambling, per the 1869 Prevention of Gaming Act in Scotland.

Merry Christmas! Keep those chains in your pocket or Santa won't visit your house tonight!

 

Regards,
Josephine

[keyboard86]

  Along with Thimblers, and Loaded Dice, a practise of vagrants & common beggars, how they did it still searching!

Merry Christmas all
Keyboard86

[youngtug]

Maybe a variation; https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/tourist-scams

[stanmapstone]

From http://www.rootschat.com/links/01l6z/

[Josephine]

Thanks, all! It looks like you've figured it out!

So interesting! And scandalous and nefarious! Not to mention notorious!

 

Regards,
Josephine

[keyboard86]

I can figure out loaded dice and now Chain dropping, but what was a Thimbler?
Keyboard86

[youngtug]

I can figure out loaded dice and now Chain dropping, but what was a Thimbler?
Keyboard86

      https://youtu.be/IFLa_tl4Rk0

[keyboard86]

  Is that really what is was? To transfer an object from a walnut shell to another  I get, but a thimble?
Keyboard86

[youngtug]

The mark is encouraged to bet on where the pea is, under which shell/thimble