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SOLD - Antique Swiss 1920's "Geb. Andenmatten" Ice Axe
A good 1920’s Geb Andenmatten (Andenmatten Brothers) “Mischabel ice axe, the handle is made from ash wood with normal signs of use and the metal pick and adze have been cleaned. This is a fine quality ice axe made in Switzerland, the head being stamped with “GEB. ANDENMATTEN, SCHWEIZ, SAAS ALMAGEL” on one side and “MARKE MISCHABEL” with an outline of a mountain range on the other. The sliding eyelet for the leash is no longer present & on the lower part of the shaft, 2 nail holes are visible where the leash stop was once secured. This tool has served its original purpose. It now shows wear expected from use. The spike is slightly loose with a bit of play as it lacks the fastening stud but it will nevertheless look very nice hanging on the wall of your home, lodge or chalet!
SOLD
The Old Swiss family was one of the first to offer guided treks in the alpine regions with Geb. Andenmatten (Andenmatten Brothers) having a large blacksmith business. It was here, around 1918, that the brothers began making ice axes which were sold to the local mountain guides, visiting tourists and the Swiss Army & continued with a second family generation until the early 1970's. The inscriptions at the beginning were all in capital letters. In the 1930’s the inscription changed and the letters were written using lowercase letters and the upper GEB. was then spelt “Gebr. Their “Mischabel” ice axes were named after the mountain range above Saas Almagel. Saas Almagel is a little Alpine village in the Valais area of Switzerland, just a mountain pass away from its rather more illustrious neighbour, Zermatt.
PCS80102
Data sheet
- Year
- 1920's
- Origin
- Saas Almagel, Valais, Switzerland
- Comments
- A true collectors item!
- Size
- L 84 cm x 30 cm (Length of head)
- Material
- Wood, Metal
A good 1920’s Geb Andenmatten (Andenmatten Brothers) “Mischabel ice axe, the handle is made from ash wood with normal signs of use and the metal pick and adze have been cleaned. This is a fine quality ice axe made in Switzerland, the head being stamped with “GEB. ANDENMATTEN, SCHWEIZ, SAAS ALMAGEL” on one side and “MARKE MISCHABEL” with an outline of a mountain range on the other. The sliding eyelet for the leash is no longer present & on the lower part of the shaft, 2 nail holes are visible where the leash stop was once secured. This tool has served its original purpose. It now shows wear expected from use. The spike is slightly loose with a bit of play as it lacks the fastening stud but it will nevertheless look very nice hanging on the wall of your home, lodge or chalet!