Objects Database

Chouinard Alcoa Karabiners

Accession Number

1119.2014.1

Object Name

Chouinard Alcoa Karabiners

Created

19/02/2014

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

19/02/2014

Brief Description

Snap lock 'D' shaped karabiners

Materials

aluminium

Dimensions

10(l) x 5.5(w) x1(h) cms

Number Of Objects

2

Inscription Description

"820 ALCOA ® 7075"

Colour

silver

Maker

Alcoa/Chouinard

Object Production Place

USA

Provenance

Yvon Chouinard produced his first karabiners back in 1957 and it seems that since he got the Aluminium Company of America (Alcoa) to make them for him, the next logical step was to christen his karabiners 'Alcoa'; a name that has become a bit of a ledgend in the American climbing world. An Alcoa karabiner sold for $175 (approx. £130) on the internet in 2013.
Production of the Alcoa ceased in 1968 making way for a new generation of Chouinard karabiners, examples of which you will see elsewhere in our collection. Very few of these karabiners made their way across the Atlantic to Europe,the similar French, Pierre Allain versions being more dominant.
Our good friend and fellow collector, Art McCarthy sent us these two over from California in 2013, along with several other items as part of a 'swap' system him and Mick Tighe have going on - thanks Art, great addition to our collection.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Art McCarthy

Acquisition Date

19/02/2014

Condition Check Date

19/02/2014

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

19/02/2014

Go Back