Objects Database

Hiatt / Helly-Hansen Karabiners

Accession Number

1037.2012.1

Object Name

Hiatt / Helly-Hansen Karabiners

Created

18/04/2013

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

18/04/2013

Brief Description

Three 'D' shaped karabiners with screw locks.

Materials

carbon steel

Dimensions

10(l) x 5(w) cms

Number Of Objects

3

Inscription Description

"HELLY-HANSEN" on each one

Colour

silver

Maker

Hiatt

Object Production Place

Britain

Provenance

Though there is a little confusion about the spelling, it seems that a Mr Hiat(t) started producing prisoner's handcuffs, felon's leg irons, gang chains and Nigger collars in Birmingham around 1780. Fortunately, the leg irons, gang chains and collars were soon consigned to history, though Hiatt as a company survived for over 200 years as one of Britain's, and the world's, leading providers of handcuffs. The factory closed in 2008, though it seems 'Hiatt' still survives under new ownership since Hiatt products are still available in 2013.
Unsurprisingly, for a company that specialised in high quality steel restraint devices, they diversified a little at some point to produce pitons and karabiners. We don't have any direct information of when this came about, but the early karabiners seemed to have appeared in the late 1950's with the British Mountaineering Council approving the large 'D' shaped karabiner in 1963.
We have it on good authority that the ones we have here are late 1950's and made by Hiatt for Helly-Hansen, possibly for workwear or sailing purposes, but equally at home in the mountains.
Our old mate, Ken Ledward gave them to us. Thanks Ken.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Ken Ledward

Acquisition Date

18/04/2013

Condition Check Date

18/04/2013

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

18/04/2013

Go Back

Related Items

Hiatt Piton
Hiatt Screwgate Karabiner

Click to see larger view

Click image for enlarged view

Click to see larger view

Click image for enlarged view

Back to top