HPT (?),
I would surmise that it is likely a Sedis Sedisport model GT-7 (4 DEI-SO) chain that you are referring to in your brief description as provided. The "3 dimensional saddle shape" to which you refer is conventionally known as either cambering or chamfering (...as differentiated from those instances where the inner plates of a given chain are flat) and was an attribute which was incorporated into the design of derailleur chains so as to minimize the opportunity for over shifting. With respect to Sedis in particular, this feature first appeared in 1978 coincident to the introduction of their revolutionary Sedisport chain, a bushingless design having inner floating links, the aforementioned inner chamfered plates, and Delta hardened pins. Upon its introduction, the original Sedisport instantly rendered all of its competitors, predecessors, and contemporaries obsolete (...which is precisely why it is difficult to find anything other than this type of chain in production even to this day). The advantages of this ingenious design are that the Sedisport not only shifted smoother than anything else on the market at that time, it was also 30 percent stronger and more durable, had 20 percent fewer moving parts, and weighed substantially less than any previous design using the same materials. And while early Sedisport chains are most often found having a "Noire" or "Black" finish, they were also available in an "Argent" or "Silver" finish, a duo-tone "Argent / Noire or "Silver / Black" finish, or a "d'Or" or "Gold" finish as you described. Should you wish to review a modest amount of information published with respect to the evolution of Sedis chains, you are welcome to do so by following this link:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
While I am hesitant to publicly speculate on the relative value of vintage bicycles or their individual components (...that is something that I understand as being not too terribly appropriate in this forum), I will say that the Gold finish early 1980's Sedisport chains offered for sale in NOS state on eBay tend to be somewhat coveted with used examples of same selling for substantially less money.
Finally, at the risk of overstepping my role as nothing more than a "contributor among equals" here on the CR List, I would be quick to point out that participation herein requires that everyone provide a full and unabbreviated name, city, state / province, and country coincident to each and every post (...this stipulation was included within the "rules for participation" which you received upon first joining the CR List). To not do so is to risk admonishment from listmeister Dale or possibly even revocation of your conditional membership (...counting the post to which I am replying, that would be five consecutive instances now where you have omitted said information).
Robert "sticks and stones may break my bones, but gears and chains excite me" Broderick ...the "Frozen Flatlands" of South Dakota Sioux Falls, USA
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>From: htravis@attglobal.net
>Reply-To: travis.harry@gmail.com
>To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Subject: [CR]Early 80's Sedis chain
>Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:56:03 -0300
>
>A thorouhly greasy Sedis chain emerged from a spirits bath with a a
>vaguely gold color. The side plates have a 3 dimensional saddle shape I
>have not noticed before. Not just relieved scaloped edges, but a
>complete saddle.
>
>Can someone here direct me materials or archives about changes in
>bicycle chain design? And whether this chain would be of value for
>period and color purposes to some folks. (I don't mean great value. It
>shows no wear when compared, hanging full length, to a new Sachs chain,
>so I can use put it back on the late Nuovo Record 10 speed setup it came
>from, a $15 value, no more, to me no different than a newer, grayer
>chain.
>
>HPT
>--
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>travis.dot.harry.trying.gmail.com
>DemostiX
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>
>_______________________________________________
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