Objects Database

Durban - Hansen Norske Skis

Accession Number

692.2008.1

Object Name

Durban - Hansen Norske Skis

Created

19/12/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

19/12/2008

Brief Description

Pair of Norwegian wooden (ash) skis 1900 -1910 made from solid piece of wood. The 1st metal toe piece binding (invented 1894) plus the original leather toe strap through the ski. This type used until about 1908. Holes in tips.

Materials

wood (ash ), metal , leather

Dimensions

220(l) cms At widest part 9(w) cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

On bindings "HUITFELDT" On sole below tip an ellipse with "NORSKE SKI A/S * H. DURBAN + HANSEN * CHRISTIANIA"

Colour

dark brown

Maker

H. DURBAN + HANSEN

Object Production Place

Christiania(This was the name for Oslo until 1924)

Provenance

When it comes to antique skis, these are about as good as it gets. Christiana,sometimes Kristiana, was the name for Oslo, capital of Norway until 1924, so they are earlier than that, possibly by 20 or 30 years.The non-laminated, single piece of wood construction confirms that. The style and simple decoration of these particular skis indicates they are what the Norwegians term a telemark ski.
Norwegian, Fritz Huitfeldt(1851-1938)had created his revolutionary binding in 1894, improving it in 1897. It was the first binding to be made of metal and being attached via a slot through the actual ski it gave skiers a much more positive attachment to the ski, enabling new turns to be effected with ease.The leather straps holding the toe of the boot in position were also new, replacing various inferior designs.
In 1904 Huitfeldt added the Hoyer Ellefsen toggle which is the basis of a modern ski boot buckle which tensions or releases the pressure.
The Huitfeldt binding was pretty universal into the 1930's until G Reuge took the best bits of the Huitfeldt, juggled them around a bit, added his own ideas and called his new binding the Kandahar.
The holes in the tips of these(or any other skis) often indicate a military origin as ski troops would remove their skis and tow them behind on string when crawling into battle.
Sadly we don't know who owned these skis, though we are delighted to have them.

Acquisition Method

Part of collection passed on from Scottish Ski Club

Acquisition Date

01/12/2008

Reference

SSC ref 2

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Normal Location

Bohuntin

Current Location

Bohuntin

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

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