It seems that the Ames Shovel Shop began life way back in 1774 when, as the name implies, an American started making shovels and various other tools in NE Massachusetts. We are not very sure when Ames started making ice axes but do know that they were supplied to the American 10th Mountain Division during World War Two much like Brades of Birmingham, England provided the ice axes to British mountain troops in the same period. Also, in a very similar way, Ames axes became surplus to requirement after the war and found their way into the American ex-army stores, as did the Brades version. Mountaineers of the 1950’s and 60’s on both sides of the Atlantic, relied heavily on this supply of ex- military gear. Quite how the Ames axe we have here in the collection made its way over the Atlantic to the UK we are not sure though we do know that Harry Napier donated this axe, along with a couple of others, and think all three belonged to members of the Lomond Mountaineering Club at some point. Unfortunately, we are not exactly sure who. An interesting and curious addition to the collection … thanks Harry!