The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
1254.2015.1
Swiss Army Avalanche Probes
03/06/2015
Hermione Cooper
03/06/2015
Four metal avalanche probes with leather holster and retaining strap.
Steel, aluminium alloy,leather
115(l) cms
1 set
Swiss Army logo on leather retaining strap. Indiscernible maker's name alongside logo.
silver
Switzerland
We have a couple of sets of avalanche probes in the collection already, but this set is the Rolls Royce version as we would expect since they are Swiss Army issue and the Swiss have a reputation for making things to a very high standard, particularly when it comes to military equipment.
Avalanche probing experts will tell you that probes commonly snap at the joint since avalanched snow is not quite as light and fluffy as one might think, so the makers of this set have used stainless steel for the joints while the rest of the probe is made of aluminium alloy for lightness. A fine leather holster holds everything together, giving them the 'air' of a presentation set , rather than working instruments.
Founder member of the SMHC, Mick Tighe, got a trade going in 2013 with fellow collector, Art McCarthy, over in California. Art sent these over in one of his bundles which means that these probes have probably bagged more air than snow miles!
Donated by Art McCarthy
03/06/2015
03/06/2015
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
03/06/2015