| Name: | Pierre Allain (latchless) (v1) |
| Category: | gated-hook |
| Locking Type: | n/a |
| Unlock Style: | n/a |
| Shape: | asymmetric D |
| Material: | aluminum |
| Profile: | flat |
| Nose: | non-load-bearing |
| Nose Guard: | none |
| Rivets: | flush |
| Gate Shield: | full |
| Weight: | 60 g |
| Dimensions: | Length: 107 mm Width: 52 mm Gate Opening: 18 mm |
| Other Markings: | Forged: PIERRE ALLAIN | BREVETTE S.G.D.G |
| Collection Criteria: | ★ Manufacturing, Engineering, or Design ★ Historically Interesting or Iconic |
| Summary: | non-load-bearing gate, early design |
| Description & Commentary: | (research ongoing) Pierre Allain was one of the earliest carabiner manufacturers, selling out of his shop in France. This model only has slanted faces at the gate, not a hook & pin or similar arrangement to allow the gate to share load when the carabiner is subjected to a load. Also, reports in the National Speleological Society (NSS) and Mountain Safety Research (MSR - yes that MSR) newsletters indicated that climbers had specifically experienced low-load failures of similar style of "carabiner" when loaded along the minor axis. Unlike those that failed, this example has a small stud on the gate, which may or may not provide additional minor axis strength. Technically, without a load-bearing gate, I do not consider this a carabiner - rather a snap‑hook. But it's just too neat of an artifact to not include here. |