Chessler Books
Rock Climbing - Mountaineering - Exploration
New - Used - Collectible - Signed
Chessler Books Accepts PAYPAL Chessler Books Accepts VISA Chessler Books Accepts MASTERCARD Chessler Books Accepts DISCOVER CARD Chessler Books Accepts AMERICAN EXPRESS
All Orders Shipped via United States Postal Service   Chessler Books Ships Via USPS
Author:
Title:
Keyword:
Item #:
A B C D E F G H I
J K L M Mc N O P Q
R S T U V W X Y Z
Item #: HW2
SWISS NAILED BOOTS: ORIGINAL VINTAGE BOOTS FROM 1940s - 1950s
By Â
[ SOLD ]

Add to wish list


Detailed Product Description

SWISS NAILED BOOTS  Pair: We have obtained a few pair of real nailed boots, as issued to the Swiss Army during and after WWII! We estimate their age as 60-70 years old. These are identical to the boots worn by British, European and American climbers before (and after!) World War II, before Vibram soles took over.

The boots have 77 edge and hob nails in each boot! Larger edge nails are marked 'TRICOUNI BREV SUISSE'. The leather uppers and soles are in well preserved condition. This is a phenomenal chance to get an authentic collector's item. No size choice. Excellent condition although they need a good cleaning.

Postage charges will be based on weight, 5 pounds. About $20 USA, $35-$45 Foreign.

Félix Genecand, a jeweller by profession and passionate climber based in Geneva, Switzerland, designed a new type of boot nail and nailing system in 1912 which was a performance breakthrough. This was because he was able to harden nails for the first time by making them in 2 pieces. The hard gripping part was brazed to the softer malleable part which was attached to the boot by a transverse double nail. The hardened steel nails were aligned with the periphery of the toe of the boot. so giving the boot and the climber the ability to grip a much smaller hold, even to a small pebble.

Additionally the nails could be fitted without the specialist help of a cobbler and ensured greater length of life. The name he gave to these nails was the affectionate nickname given to him personally by his climbing friends, 'Tricouni' after the climb of the same name in the Salève near Geneva.
 
Nailed boots were not only very effective on wet, lichenous or ice covered rock, but were actually better than today's molded rubber soles.  For many alpine climbs of the day, crampons were unnecessary because nailed boots were perfect on nevée slopes and good in ice steps. This very effectiveness arguably slowed down the progression of crampon development and usage.

The critical issue with this type of footwear was insulation, because nails were perfect for conducting heat away from the feet. It was customary practice for alpine climbers to select boots large enough to be used with two pairs of socks.  For Himalayan climbing the sizing was increased to allow three pairs of socks. However, simply adding more pairs of socks could not solve the problem and there were many attempts to improve boot design.
 

Other Items You Might Like

  • Similar Items Available
  • Items From This Author
  • Items From This Category
VINTAGE SWISS NAILED CLIMBING BOOTS: ORIGINAL CLIMBING BOOTS FROM 1900s - 1950s (More images below)
By: Swiss Nailed Climbing Boots
Price $140.00 ~ Regular $350.00, You Save $210.00 (60%)
- Item # HW2A-799p
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
VINTAGE SWISS NAILED CLIMBING BOOTS: ORIGINAL CLIMBING BOOTS FROM 1900s - 1950s (More images below)
By: Swiss Nailed Climbing Boots
Price $140.00 ~ Regular $350.00, You Save $210.00 (60%)
- Item # HW2B-799p
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
BOOTS: CLIMBING, AUTHENTIC, VINTAGE SWISS NAILED BOOTS: ORIGINAL CLIMBING BOOTS FROM 1920s - 1950s
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # HW2A-677
View Details
TRICOUNI NAILS FOR MIDDLE SOLES OF NAILED BOOTS
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # H75A
View Details
VINTAGE MANILA CLIMBING ROPE: THE REAL THING FROM THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # HW15
View Details
VINTAGE MANILA CLIMBING ROPE 1950s
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # HW14
View Details
TRICOUNI NAILS FOR NAILED BOOTS
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # H75
View Details
VINTAGE MANILA CLIMBING ROPE
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # HW15
View Details
VINTAGE ICE AXE SWISS 1910s-1940s WOODEN HANDLE Each Axe is 75-100+ YEARS OLD
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # HW80A
View Details
VINTAGE ICE AXE SWISS OR AUSTRIAN 24-36 inches. WOOD HANDLE. 50-70 years old.
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # HW44A
View Details
qnmZ
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
View Details
VERTICAL FRONTIER: A HISTORY OF YOSEMITE CLIMBING VIDEO
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # V2090
View Details
VERTICAL FRONTIER: A HISTORY OF YOSEMITE DVD
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # V2091
View Details
PILGRIMAGE WITH CHRIS SHARMA VIDEO
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # V2094
View Details
INERTIA AND FOCUS: 1 & 2 COMBO DVD.
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # V2092
View Details
AUTO ROUTE: FULL THROTTLE CLIMBING IN SWITZERLAND DVD
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # V2096
View Details
ROAD DVD
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # V2097
View Details
PRO TIPS VOL 1 DVD
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # V2098
View Details
FRONT RANGE FREAKS VIDEO
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # V2068
View Details
FRONT RANGE FREAKS ROCK CLIMBING & BOULDERING DVD
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # V2093
View Details
10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION SHOULDER PATCH ORIGINAL WORLD WAR II USED
By: Army, U.S., 10th Mountain Division
Price $19.99
- Item # HW12B-5395
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
HORIZONTAL ROCK PITON: INK STAMPED US AMES US ARMY AMES WWII
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # H7C
View Details
HORIZONTAL ROCK PITON: NOT STAMPED US AMES US ARMY AMES WWII
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # H7B
View Details
VINTAGE ICE AXE US AMES WW2 ARMY WOOD HANDLED ICE AXE 10th Mountain Division
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item # HW44AB-Sold
View Details
Spam 6/1/7
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
View Details
CHRIS BONINGTON'S WEBSITE
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item #  
View Details
THE ICE SOLDIER [Novel] Paul Watkins 2006 1st ed Hardcover DJ New Multiple Copies Available
By: Watkins, Paul
Price $4.99 ~ Regular $25.00, You Save $20.01 (80%)
- Item # BK2171-5837
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
THE GUNS OF JOHN MOSES BROWNING: THE REMARKABLE STORY OF THE INVENTOR WHOSE FIREARMS CHANGED THE WORLD Nathan Gorenstein 2021 1st ed Hardcover
By: Gorenstein, Nathan
Price $19.99 ~ Regular $28.00, You Save $8.01 (29%)
- Item # BK8362-874
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
NEW BOOKS JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2011 PAGE 3
By: Â
[ SOLD ]
- Item #  
View Details
MOUNTAIN TROOPS OF THE WAFFEN-SS 1941-1945 Roland Kaltenegger 1995 1st ed Hardcover DJ New
By: Kaltenegger, Roland
Price $24.95
- Item # OP4858-846
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart