Objects Database

M.S.R. Thunderbird Ice Axe

Accession Number

1657.2022.1

Object Name

M.S.R. Thunderbird Ice Axe

Created

11/05/2022

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

11/05/2022

Brief Description

MSR Thunderbird Ice Axe with hole in head and black nylon wrist leash attached

Materials

Aluminium, steel,nylon, vinyl

Dimensions

Shaft 51(L) cms. Head 28(L) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

MSR logo and “ SEATTLE 8 USA PATENT PENDING”
“THUNDERBIRD”

Colour

Siver, orange, black

Maker

MSR (Mountain Safety Research)

Object Production Place

Seattle, USA

Provenance

Seems that an American, Larry Penberthy, ‘re-invented’ the ice axe back in the 1970’s to create the Thunderbird which we have here in the collection.
Larry was full of innovative ideas and created a company called M.S.R. ( Mountain Safety Research) to manufacture and market his innovations.
Some of his axes were made entirely of aluminium but ours seems to have an aluminium shaft and a steel head. They were covered in orange vinyl and had the unique pick design which according to the patent had “ improved chopping action and an increased bite into hard snow and ice during self arrest”
The fashion gurus didn’t like it very much though, suggesting that it was ‘ incredibly ugly and better suited for assassinations rather than ice climbing’
The axes sold well whatever and this one made its way across the pond where a lady called Paula Sharp bought it, used it and then kindly passed it on to us.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Paula Sharp

Acquisition Date

11/05/2022

Condition Check Date

11/05/2022

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

11/05/2022

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