Pair of Vintage Brevetto Grivel Courmayeur Mountaineering Crampons
Pair of Vintage Brevetto Grivel Courmayeur Mountaineering Crampons
31938
Vintage Mountain Climbing Crampons.
A rare pair of early vintage mountaineering crampons by Grivel, based on the pioneering 12-point hinged design developed by Oscar Eckenstein. A passionate alpinist and inventor, Eckenstein introduced this revolutionary crampon pattern in 1908; by 1910, with the assistance of blacksmith Henry Grivel of Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, the design entered commercial production.
Constructed from thin stamped iron with articulated hinges, the crampons feature aggressively angled front points designed to facilitate the then-innovative "front-pointing" technique on steep vertical ice. Each crampon retains its formed steel heel loop and six metal binding rings for attachment to climbing boots. Both are stamped: "Brevetto, Grivel Courmayeur, Made in Italy" and marked size 45.
Founded in 1818 in Courmayeur, Grivel is recognised as the world's oldest manufacturer of alpine equipment. Originally blacksmiths producing agricultural tools, the Grivel family adapted their craft to meet the growing demands of early mountaineers during the nineteenth century.
Taken from Grivel.com
In 1818, the Grivel family of blacksmiths started to transform their production of agricultural tools to satisfy the rather peculiar demands of a new breed of wealthy tourists who, for unfathomable reasons, wanted to climb the mountains!
In 1909 The English engineer Oscar Eckenstein asked Henry Grivel to manufacture the first modern Grivel crampons.
In 1929, Henry's son Laurent made the brilliant invention of the two front points, allowing climbers to stand face on whilst attacking the steep ice and snow gradients. This innovation was the key to the conquest of the last unsolved route of the Alps: the North of the Eiger, 21-24th July, 1938.
In 1936, in collaboration for the first time with the Cogne steelworks, Amato Grivel, Laurent's younger brother, using the Chromolly alloy (Nickel-Chrome-Molybdenum), created a really strong Grivel crampon, thinner and therefore lighter. They forged Grivel crampons weighing 360 grams a pair, up until then impossible. These Grivel crampons, the Super Leggero Grivel, have been used to conquer the 3 highest peaks in the world, the Everest, the K2, and the Kangchenjunga.
Dimensions:
1900-1949
Circa 1930's - 1940's
Steel
Italy
Brevetto, Grivel Courmayeur
Good condition
RELATED ITEMS
![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://shop.maddies.boutique/alpine-wintersport-mountaineering/general-5/pair-of-vintage-brevetto-grivel-courmayeur-mountaineering-crampons-1&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/sportantiques-64hFGwj3-uEHU73t22/stock/6af4564456d8b_3_31938.jpg&description=Vintage Mountain Climbing Crampons.A rare pair of early vintage mountaineering crampons by Grivel, based on the pioneering 12-point hinged design developed by Oscar Eckenstein. A passionate alpinist and inventor, Eckenstein introduced this revolutionary crampon pattern in 1908; by 1910, with the assistance of blacksmith Henry Grivel of Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, the design entered commercial production.Constructed from thin stamped iron with articulated hinges, the crampons feature aggressively angled front points designed to facilitate the then-innovative "front-pointing" technique on steep vertical ice. Each crampon retains its formed steel heel loop and six metal binding rings for attachment to climbing boots. Both are stamped: "Brevetto, Grivel Courmayeur, Made in Italy" and marked size 45.Founded in 1818 in Courmayeur, Grivel is recognised as the world's oldest manufacturer of alpine equipment. Originally blacksmiths producing agricultural tools, the Grivel family adapted their craft to meet the growing demands of early mountaineers during the nineteenth century.Taken from Grivel.comIn 1818, the Grivel family of blacksmiths started to transform their production of agricultural tools to satisfy the rather peculiar demands of a new breed of wealthy tourists who, for unfathomable reasons, wanted to climb the mountains!In 1909 The English engineer Oscar Eckenstein asked Henry Grivel to manufacture the first modern Grivel crampons.In 1929, Henry's son Laurent made the brilliant invention of the two front points, allowing climbers to stand face on whilst attacking the steep ice and snow gradients. This innovation was the key to the conquest of the last unsolved route of the Alps: the North of the Eiger, 21-24th July, 1938.In 1936, in collaboration for the first time with the Cogne steelworks, Amato Grivel, Laurent's younger brother, using the Chromolly alloy (Nickel-Chrome-Molybdenum), created a really strong Grivel crampon, thinner and therefore lighter. They forged Grivel crampons weighing 360 grams a pair, up until then impossible. These Grivel crampons, the Super Leggero Grivel, have been used to conquer the 3 highest peaks in the world, the Everest, the K2, and the Kangchenjunga.){kind=link}