There's a machinist who used to work for S-L before it was bought by Lewmar years back --at least I think that's his background-- who makes a complete set of spares for these venerable windlasses (found on a lot of older boats, and it seems that many people keep them going since they're reliable and work well). I should email him and ask if he knows...or if there is a way to modify the existing chain wildcat. Never know what a machinist/welder could do.

That being said, I don't know what would need to be done to the wildcat to allow it grab the rope/chain splice and rope. I should have a look a windlass that can do this, to get an idea.