CLIMBER COLLECTION J - Z
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Janweld.
CD's collection [Ref. No. H047uu] B3. These appear to be of the
"Forged" class of climbers, but these were manufactured professionally. At
least there's a manufacturer's mark inside of the upper shank on this set of climbers.
If you look at the overall shape of the climbers, some advanced design when into
these, but it's not known if they were leading or following modern design.
Non-adjustable, non-replaceable gaff.
Klein &
Sons. CD's collection [Ref. No. H043qq] B2. Stamped on the inside of the shank
adjuster "M KLEIN & SONS", and "U.S.A.". Stamped on
the outside of the main shank beneath the adjuster is "1959" and "A".
This is the only example of stamping on the adjustable part of the climber shank
that I've run into thus far. This climber has a replaceable gaff, held in place with
a single screw. The climber is spray painted black, but I don't know if it is
factory paint or not.
Klein &
Sons. CD's collection [Ref. No. H037kk] B1. Stamped "16 1/2", and
"M. KLEIN & SONS", "CHICAGO - U.S.A.", and "1901M" on
the outside of the shank. This appears to be a matched set. Non-adjustable,
non-replaceable gaff.
M. Klein & Sons. Eric
Norquist collection [Ref. No. G008Er]. Stamped "16 1/2", "M. KLEIN
& SONS", "CHICAGO, USA", "CAT. NO. 1939", "PAT. DES.
119,896", "PAT. NO. 2,200,450" on the outside of the shank. Eric
tells me "...these hooks belonged to my grandfather. He died in 1941 or 1942
before I was born (1948). He was installing new high tension lines near Brainerd,
Minnesota when power was somehow applied to the lines that he was installing, and my
Grandfather was killed. They've been hanging a the garage since then".
Non-adjustable, non-replaceable gaff.
Klein & Sons.
CD's collection [Ref. No. H015o] B2. Stamped "16 1/2", and
"KLEIN & SONS" on the outside of the shank. Notice that the familiar
Klein & Sons Logo follows near the top of the shank (in the right on the first
close-up). I haven't noticed this on the other old Klein climbers. Lettering
further down the shank toward the gaff on each one, and the stamp rotated 180 degrees from
the rest of the information, are the letter "E" on both shanks. The second
close-up is a look at the "E", and you can also see the amount of wear on the
edges of the shank from the straps. Considering the existing length of the gaffs on
this set, the man that wore this pair took extremely good care of his gaffs. This,
no doubt, is a matched set. Non-adjustable, non-replaceable gaff.
Modified Klein
& Sons (early). CD's collection [Ref. No. H014n] B3. Stamped "14
1/2" & "KLEIN & SONS" on the outside of the shank.
Non-adjustable, non-replaceable gaff. The neat thing about this set of
climbers is that someone has installed extensions on the shanks to turn them into a set of
17" or 18" climbers, without removing the original top strap loop. The
extension is forged metal or strap iron, and is held in place by rivets through 3 holes
drilled in both pieces. The new belt loop is also riveted on with two rivets.
Lineman ingenuity at it's best, right here!
Klein & Sons
(early). CD's collection [Ref. No. H001a] B5. Stamped "1959" &
"A" on outside of main shank under adjustable section. Replaceable gaffs.
Possibly had "L" & "R" in the stirrup originally.
CD's first set of hooks, bought used in 1976 from a Kentucky Foreman (thanks
Chuck). Single screw in replaceable gaffs is no longer accepted.
Klein & Sons
(current). CD's collection [Ref. No. H002b] B5. Stamped "1972" &
"P" on outside of main shank under adjustable section. Replaceable gaffs.
Has "L" & "R" in stirrups. Blue and gray factory
paint. CD's first NEW set of hooks, bought new in 1978. Two screws in
replaceable gaffs. Still found in normal use.
Klein & Sons.
CD's collection [Ref. No. H006f] B1. Stamped "16" & "KLEIN
& SONS" on the outside of the shank. Non-adjustable, non-replaceable gaff.
Klein & Sons.
Carl Scott collection [Ref. No. G015CS]. Photos by Carl Scott. These
are 16 1/2" climbers, but seem to have thicker, longer gaffs than normal.
Anyone know if Klein sold a climber labeled as a "tree gaff" that was
non-replaceable on a non-adjustable climber?
Osh Kosh
Climbers. CD's collection [Ref. No. Hoshk01] B1. Stamped "OSH KOSH",
"16", and some other writing that I can't make out, on the outside of the shank
near the top leg belt loop. These are genuine "Osh Kosh B'Gosh" tree
climbers! See for yourself in the close-up. This pair of climbers came to me
with metal and felt leg pads made by MALLERY. The letters are raise-cast across the
front of each pad. This is the first that I've heard of metal pads, other than the
new "C-pads" currently being used widely.
Miller
Climbers. Mike Rose collection [Ref. No. G014MR]. Photos by Mike Rose.
Mike describes these climbers as "a set of vintage climbing spikes from the
Miller Company. These look to be some very old spikes and they have been embossed,
"Miller Patent Applied For". This tells me that they are either a very
early set or they have some unique feature for which they had made an application to the
Patent Office. This set is adjustable and they look to have been galvanized."
Smith &
Hemenway Climbers. CD's collection [Ref. No. H033gg] B1. Stamped "SMITH
& HEMENWAY", "15", and what looks like the manufacturer's location but
is not legible. Non-adjustable, non-replaceable gaff.
Swiss Tree Grippers
Swiss Tree
Grippers. CD's collection [Ref. No. Hswis01] B4. This set of tree climbers is
currently in production. The destructive effects of gaffs on trees is virtually
eliminated with these climbers that have no gaffs. The steel bands are wrapped
around the tree prior to climbing, and then ascent of the tree is accomplished by sliding
the bands up the tree trunk and supporting the climber's weight via a lever/lock method of
gripping the tree. I don't know what you do when you reach the first limb and want
to continue up the tree...
G. TURBA.
CD's collection [Ref. No. H023w] B1. Stamped "G.TURBA",
"MILANO", and "VIA S.PROSPERO" inside of the foot plate of both.
The right one is also marked with a number "34" in the foot plate and
also on the removable curved piece. The left one is also marked with the numbers
"1" and "9" in the foot plate and on the curved piece. The
"9" is turned 90 degrees and to the right of the "1" on this one.
I believe this is a matched set.
Climbers
with add-on platforms [Ref. No. G002Wa]. Photo by Wayne Dyce. Wayne writes:
"These are late 80's or early 90's prototype for Ontario Hydro". CD is
waiting on any further information on the manufacturer of the platforms and what brand of
climbers that they are shown on. That information will be added when available.
Mystery
climbers [Ref. No. G003Da]. Photo provided by Dan Kappler. Dan writes:
"Does anyone have any information on how old these lineman hooks are, or any
information on their history? If so please email Dan at janamy@tusco.net". CD would like to know
too. Send a copy of your email to OlPoop@cdthayer.com . UPDATE: Con Moloney in Ireland thought these climbers looked
similar to the Igelfor climbers widely used in his area, but after closer examination,
they appear to be from a different manufacturer. We still have a mystery...
Concrete Pole
climbers [Ref. No. G005Ro]. Photos provided by Ron Furrer. Ron writes: "
I took these photos in 1991 in Altstätten, Switzerland at the local power company.
The hooks in the pictures are used to climb concrete poles only. (Identity of
the lineman demonstrating the climbers unknown).
US Military.
CD's collection [Ref. No. H028bb] B1. Stamped
"US", "BLOOMFIELD" on the outside of the shank. These climbers
are only ankle-high, and made out of two pieces of metal that have each been
"punched" to provide the top strap loop and the gaff. The two pieces are
electrostatically welded together to form the stirrup. I bought these on eBay and
was told that they are "WW2-era US Signal Corps Tree climbing spike shoe
attachments". I'm not sure about the age. Can anyone that ever used a
pair of these in the service verify that for me? Non-adjustable, non-replaceable
gaff. Should still be usable as designed.
Western Union Telegraph & Telephone Co. David Capwell
collection [Ref. No. G009DC]. Cast markings of "18" and
"W.U.TEL.Co." and a cast logo on the outside of the shank. The
manufacturer's logo hasn't been identified at this time. If you can identify the
manufacturer, please let us know at Climbers.
These climbers are in a private collection in California. Non-adjustable,
non-replaceable gaff.
Anybody know what the "V" stands for on this set of MELLING BROOKS Hooks?
RESPONSE FROM GENE: "As per Al at Melling Forging Co. Lansing Michigan, the "V" is used by Melling to identify the die used to cast the part. I'm a lineman at Consumers Energy, Lansing, Michigan, and I drive by Melling Forging every day on the way to work."
CD needs age confirmation on the Military US BLOOMFIELD climbers.
Anyone know what the manufacturer of the Western Union climbers?
CD is looking for a pair of DIAMOND EDGE climbers, or photos of them, if anyone has a pair.
Anyone have any information about a climber called "KODIAK" that is described as a "boot with a gaff on it"? The boot is made of plastic or some other non-conductive fiber, and has replaceable gaffs. John has a pair, but needs to find out where he can get some new gaffs. CD thinks they may be made by KODIAK HUNTING PRODUCTS in Greenville, Michigan. Send info to OlPoop@cdthayer.com
RESPONSE FROM RAY: "Hello, I saw some of those Kodiak climbers when I was in Maine for the Ice storm. I think they used the Klein replaceable gaff. When I was in Kansas City last September (1999) I saw a guy giving a demonstration of (some) climbers called "wolf claw" climbers. They looked pretty good ......just different. Hope this helps you out. Later, Ray"
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