Objects Database

Compton Climbing Helmet

Accession Number

356.2008.1

Object Name

Compton Climbing Helmet

Created

14/11/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

14/11/2008

Brief Description

Red climbing helmet. Black and pink canvas chinstraps and plastic moulded chin guard. Black waterproof inner lining with drawstring. Criss cross canvas straps inside. Four stud holes on end of one strap and two studs on other. White plastic torch loop.

Materials

plastic, nylon, fibre glass

Dimensions

70 ( circumference) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

Label on canvas inside reads "THE COMPTON CLIMBER MARK II J.COMPTON, SONS & WEBB LTD. 404/422 OLD FORD ROAD, LONDON E.3." "APPROVED TO BRITISH STANDARD NO.4423" written under kite mark. "IAN SUTHERLAND LMRT" handwritten in ink.

Colour

red, black

Maker

J.COMPTON, SONS & WEBB LTD.

Object Production Place

England

Provenance

J.Compton, Sons & Webb Ltd. were clothing manufacturers based down in Old Ford Road, London. Though they now seem to have been gobbled up by some conglomerate or other they go back to at least the 1930's from what we have gleaned. At some point they started making motorcycle helmets - which interestingly have now become collectors items - and a logical progression from there was climbing helmets as in those days (circa 1960) there was little difference in construction and manufacture of the two types of helmets. Climbers had been wearing woolly hats and flat caps until the arrival of the Compton which was the first ever climbing helmet. This one belonged to Ian Sutherland who, for many years, was leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and director of mountain equipment retailers, Nevisport.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Ian Sutherland

Acquisition Date

14/11/2008

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

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