Objects Database

Stubai 5000 Karabiners

Accession Number

1334.2016.1

Object Name

Stubai 5000 Karabiners

Created

07/07/2016

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

07/07/2016

Materials

Chromium Vanadium Steel

Dimensions

11.5(l) X 6(w) cms

Number Of Objects

2

Inscription Description

On each "SUPER CROM VAN. STUBAI 5000 AUSTRIA"

Colour

Silver

Maker

Stubai

Object Production Place

Austria

Provenance

Stubai must be one of the oldest mountaineering equipment manufacturers in Europe having begun life back in 1897 when a group of blacksmiths from Fulpmes, in the Stubai area of Austria, got together and formed a co-operative to make agricultural tools initially, and mountaineering equipment later on as the company progressed into the 20th century.
A vast array of innovative, well made equipment has flowed out of the Stubai factory since 1897; ice axes, crampons, pitons and karabiners, a couple of interesting versions of which we have here in the collection.
Early karabiners (circa 1930) were made of steel until a Frenchman, Pierre Allain, came up with a much lighter version made from aluminium alloy.
Companies like Stubai quickly followed with their own lightweight versions while still retaining some steel versions for heavy duty work such as mountain rescue and industry.
The daddy of them all would seem to be the Stubai 5000 which emerged in the 1970's with what would appear to be the highest breaking strain around; the 5000 being kilograms i.e. around 5 tons. Made of Chromium Vanadium (Chrom Van), a very strong steel alloy, they are too heavy for climbers and we suspect they have a very limited market since the two we have here in the collection are the only ones we have ever seen even though they are still on the market on 2016.
Thanks to our good pal and Mountain Guide,Dave Siviter, for sending them to us.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Dave Siviter

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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