Objects Database

Lowe-Byrne Ballnut

Accession Number

1330.2016.1

Object Name

Lowe-Byrne Ballnut

Created

07/07/2016

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

07/07/2016

Brief Description

Lowe-Byrne ball nut

Materials

Aluminium alloy, copper, rubber

Dimensions

23(l) X 3.5(w) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

"LOWE/BYRNE 3. R.O.K." and initials "CF"

Colour

Silver, blue

Maker

Lowe Alpine

Object Production Place

USA

Provenance

Rock climbers have been looking for ways to make anchors in the rock since the sport began. They used spikes of rock, chockstones, jammed knots and engineer's nuts in the early days. Then aluminium alloy wedges and Hexagonals came along, followed by one of the biggest innovations of all, the camming devices, the most famous of which is the ' Friend'.
Seems that an American, Doug Phillips, introduced a slider nut in 1983 with another American, Steve Byrne refining it somewhat and going into production with Lowe Alpine to produce the Ballnut.
There are lots of versions around and we are not sure quite when ours dates from - possibly quite early, circa 1990. We do know that this particular one belonged to legendary American climber, Charlie Fowler.(initials CF stamped on it)
Charlie was a friend of our founder member, Mick Tighe, and the picture opposite was taken by Mick on the island of Mingulay when they were climbing together in 1997. Sadly, Charlie died on a mountaineering expedition to China in 2006.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

07/07/2016

Condition Check Date

07/07/2016

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

07/07/2016

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