Though actually a rock piton this rather odd device is called a bong from the resonant noise it makes when being driven into a wide crack. Developed in the 1960s for aid climbing and protection in the cracks of Yosemite in America they were superseded by the advent of large camming devices.

The one we have here is signed by Tom Frost, Royal Robbins, Layton Kor and Fred Beckey, all pioneer American climbers back in the 1960s and therefore users of pitons like this. American bookdealers, Chesslers, acquired lots of pitons like this in the 1990s and got famous climbers to autograph them so they could be sold on as souvenirs. Our friend, John McCall, bought this one and donated it to the collection – cheers John!