Objects Database

Macinnes Massey ice axe

Accession Number

192.2008.1

Object Name

Macinnes Massey ice axe

Created

20/10/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

20/10/2008

Brief Description

MacInnes Massey all metal ice axe. Metal shaft with black plastic tape wound round. One hole at top of pick with braided nylon leash attached through it. Adze, serrated pick. Pointed spike on ferrule.This is an adapted Macinnes Massey with drooped pick and shortened shaft.

Materials

metal, nylon

Dimensions

Shaft & ferrule 45(l) x 9.5(cir)cms. Head 28(l) cms. Adze 6.5 (w)cms.

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

Inscription stamped on head reads "MACINNES MASSEY MADE IN GT. BRITAIN BRITISH & FOREIGN PATENTS"

Colour

Silver, brown

Maker

MacInnes/Massey

Object Production Place

Gt.Britain

Provenance

Sam Crymble was a Mountain Guide and Instructor at Scotland's National Outdoor Centre, Glenmore Lodge, back in the 1970's which is the era from which his axe comes. Ice climbing was evolving fast in those days and technology was struggling to keep up so improvisation was the name of the game.
Pioneer climber, John Cunningham, was an instructor at 'the Lodge' in the 70's too, and his biographer, Jeff Connor sets the scene well:
"Most lodge personnel can pinpoint the start of the snow and ice front - pointing era almost exactly: the winters of 1970-71, when nights in the staff wing were made hideous by mysterious comings and goings and the sound of hammering into the small hours. It was a time when everyone's favourite ice axe underwent a metamorphosis; first a softening by heat, then some bending and shaping to the required angle, followed by some tempering."
Looks like Sam was softening, bending and shaping well into the small hours and we are delighted to have the result of his labours in our collection.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Sam Crymble and described by him as ' a man's axe '

Acquisition Date

20/10/2008

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

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