Objects Database

MacInnes Massey All Metal Ice Axe

Accession Number

1719.2023.1

Object Name

MacInnes Massey All Metal Ice Axe

Created

27/07/2023

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

27/07/2023

Brief Description

MacInnes Massey Ice Axe with rubber cover on ferrule. Rope looped through hole in head.

Materials

metal. plastic, rubber

Dimensions

Shaft 58.5(L) cms Head 28(L) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

"MACINNES PATENT APPLIED FOR" on one side of head and "MASSEY" on the other side

Colour

silver, brown

Maker

MacInnes Massey

Object Production Place

Scotland

Provenance

We have several MacInnes/Massey all metal ice axes in our collection, though this is probably the earliest as it bears the ‘patent applied for’ logo, dating it to 1961/2. Hamish got the patent a couple of years later.
Hamish MacInnes had the idea for an all metal ice axe back in the 1950’s and actually made a prototype even earlier but a bad accident to some climbers on Ben Nevis in 1959 when their wooden ice axes broke when used as belays, resulting in their deaths, spurred Hamish into action and he started production a year later with the help of an engineering firm called Massey in Manchester.
The fine picture opposite, taken by John Cleare, shows Hamish assembling axes and hammers in his Glencoe workshop in the 1960’s.
The rubberised sleeves that Hamish ‘shrunk ‘ onto the shafts rarely stand the test of time. This one has just hung on and we have covered it with clear tape to see if it will last a little longer.

Acquisition Date

27/07/2023

Condition Check Date

27/07/2023

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

27/07/2023

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