So anyhow, unless I've messed up even worse, these are compliments of Jerry O. Wolfe of Wolfe Forge.
Comparing this with the chainmaker's anvil from the Ironbridge Museum, it looks as though the early version was probably simpler. But it also may have had a tendency to fall apart. And I don't have any info on how the jig in the hardy hole is used. The only chain I've made has been the type with quite large, long links. It was probably much easier to do than the shorter, fatter links shown above.
Jim, are you out there? Do you have any pointers on how the hardy hole tool was used?