Salewa Hollow Karabiner (black/gold)

Salewa
Hollow Karabiner (black/gold)

Name:Salewa Hollow Karabiner (black/gold)
Category:non-locking
Shape:D
Material:aluminum
Profile:diamond
Nose:notch & pin
Nose Guard:none
Rivets:domed
Gate Shield:none
Weight:45 g
Dimensions:Length: 109.74 mm
Width: 58 mm
Depth (basket end): 9.8 mm
Gate Opening: 19.1 mm
Strength Ratings:Major Axis: 2000 kp | Minor Axis: 800 kp
Other Markings:Stamped: (SALEWA) West Germany | (ratings) | tested
Collection Criteria:★ Manufacturing, Engineering, or Design
Summary:hollow - constructed from tubing not solid aluminum rod
Description & Commentary:

To save weight, Salewa constructed these 45g carabiners from hollow tubing - not something seen today given the advancements in forging!

They formed the nose and tail of the carabiner body by smashing the tubing flat before creating the nose notch and hinge pin hole. The prominant nose helps catch a rope easier when clipping, protects against accidental opening, and indicates gate orientation at a glance.

Strength ratings are listed in "kp" or kiloponds - kilograms of force, or ~9.8 Newtons at standard gravity. Thus the 2000 kp rating is slightly more than 19.6 kN.

Although challenging to see in these photos, the gate is stamped "tested" along with the other more clearly seen markings along the spine.

Alpinist magazine stated that this model of carabiner was also innovative in that each carabiner was individually tested, but Pierre Allain has been doing the same since 1965. Additionally, it appears Salewa began individual testing after a recall in 1971, but I think hollow tubing carabiners were first released in 1977.

Salewa applied for a patent in the US in 1977, approved in 1978. I do not know if they were being sold prior to the patent application date. If anyone has information about earlier production, please contact me.

Clippings:Catalog & Magazine Clippings
Relevant Patent:US4095316