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| Messages 1 - 14 of total 14 in this topic |
myers1210
Trad climber
Tempe, AZ
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 19, 2015 - 04:16pm PT
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I found an old set of crampons at an antique store today. Anyone out there have any info on these. Much appreciated. Thanks[photo[photoid=395064]id=395062]
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ClimbingOn
Trad climber
NY
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Jan 19, 2015 - 04:28pm PT
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Are there any identifying markings on them? They look very homemade, but also somewhat reminiscent of early Stubai crampons.
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two-shoes
Trad climber
Auberry, CA
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Jan 19, 2015 - 04:42pm PT
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Those look ancient! 6 points, very archaic design. I think if you back far enough in history, most crampons and ice axes, indeed, look very homemade. Most likely they were made in Europe.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jan 19, 2015 - 08:52pm PT
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Pretty sure I've seen a painting of Torquemada wearing those.
"The truth shall set you free."
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Lorenzo
Trad climber
Oregon
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Jan 19, 2015 - 10:03pm PT
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I gotta think those were sold as ice creepers, not crampons. Even so, they are pretty old.
Climbing magazine 226 did a history that dates the ten point crampon to 1908 in England and commercial versions licensed to Henry Grivel two years later. His son added two points in 1929. By 1938 the Germans were using 12 pointers on the Eiger.
"1938 — On the first ascent of the Eiger Nordward, Germans Anderl Heckmair and Ludwig Vörg, using 12-point crampons, swiftly overtake Heinrich Harrer and Fritz Kasparek of Austria, who are flat-footing it in hobnailed boots and 10-point crampons, respectively. The foursome teams up for the rest of the ascent. Wrote Harrer in The White Spider, “I looked back, down our endless ladder of steps. Up it, I saw the New Era coming at express speed; there were two men running — I mean running, not climbing — up,” the Nordwand’s Second Icefield."
http://www.climbing.com/gear/history-of-crampons-timeline-no-226/
And much to my chagrin my 12 point rigid SMC models show up as antiques on EBay.
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John M
climber
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Jan 19, 2015 - 10:14pm PT
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fixing your photos for you..
pretty cool stuff
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Jan 19, 2015 - 10:38pm PT
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Those are really freaking old. Guessing at least pre 1920, even wonder if pre-1900
Toe bail is a really interesting feature though.
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John M
climber
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Jan 19, 2015 - 10:48pm PT
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the design stamped in it kind of looks like a four leaf clover.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jan 20, 2015 - 08:29am PT
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^^^^^^ That's cause they're for cutting Irish peat you blighters!
You've been SOOOO OWNED! BwaHaHaHaHaHa!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Jan 22, 2015 - 06:09pm PT
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Now that you have a manufacturer marking try contacting the Mountain Heritage Trust over in England. The welding is rather unusual too and may provide a way of dating your crampons. I don't recognize the marking.
Trying to precisely date really old gear is very difficult so it is best to inquire a little closer to the source of traditionally forged items like your crampons.
I would guess they were made right around the first World War.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Jan 22, 2015 - 06:53pm PT
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The welds look like not particularly good oxyacetyline welds, not forge welding like you'd see on a real antique. Looks like a rather poor repair job on an antique original.
Whoever did it must have had the intention of using them.
There would be a tale!
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perswig
climber
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Jan 22, 2015 - 07:36pm PT
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Dale
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Scrubber
climber
Straight outta Squampton
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Jan 22, 2015 - 09:47pm PT
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Awesome find! I agree that you have an odd blend of forging and welding there. I look forward to hearing what you learn about their origins and era.
K
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