[histjunky]

I am looking for what was issued and used by the alpini units. I am more interested in climbing gear in respect to the types of rope, snap links, etc. Also is there a manual that showes different climbing techniques used etc? Any help would be most appreciated!


Ciao

[Jeff Leser]

The manual is Istruzione sull’addestramento alpinistico militare. I have the 1938 edition. This manual covers the equipment, climbing techniques, first aid, training and weather. For tactics, you need Addestramento delle Alpine appendice Addestramento della fanteria Vol. II. The picture is the mountaineering and ski manuals. I didn't scan the appendex on tactics.

 Alpini manuals1a.jpg (146.18K)
Number of downloads: 4

Items carried by the Alpino (pages 23-25). There are six lists. The first list is basic clothing items (this doesn’t change). The second list is the basic equipment items. The other four lists (patrol/rock climbing; mountainous regions with glaciers and crevasses; on the march for multiple days; and for winter) build upon/or modifies the second list.

A) Clothing items.

B ) Normal items carried.

1) Sacco alpino (alpine pack)

2) Maglia da lana (wool sweater)

3) giubba a vento (wind breaker)

4) guantoni di lana (wool gloves)

5) occhiali oftalmici (eye protection glasses)

6) un paio di calze di lana di ricambio (one spare pair of wool socks)

7) un passamontagne (one wool balaclava)

8) una lanterna pieghevole con due candele and fiammiferi (one folding lantern with two candles and matches)

9) una piccozza da guida con relativo reggipicozza a laccio (one ice axe with a movable landyard holder)

10) un paio di mutande di ricambio (one spare pair of under garnments)

11) cartucco – armamento e viveri di reserva – due giornate (reserve packets of ammunition and rations – two days)

12) una borraccia da litri uno (one 1-liter canteen)

13) un telo da tenda (one tent sheet)

14) un coperta da campo (one blanket)

C) Special equipment for patrols and rock climbing

1) una corda di canapa italiana di mm. 12 di diametro e di m. 30-35 lungezza (una ogni du uomini) 12mm hemp rope 30-35 meters long. (one each per two men)

2) du metri di cordino di sicurezza do mm. 6 di diametro (two meters of 6mm safety/emergency rope/cord)

3) da tre a sette choidi da roccia a lama orizzontale e due – tre lama verticale, a seconda che si tratti di salite di grande o media difficoltà ( ripartiti fra gli uomini della cordata ) three to seven rock pitons with horizontial blades and two to three with vertical blades, to be use when the slope is average to great difficulty. Split between the two mem)

4) un martello da roccia (uno per cordata) one rock hammer (one per rope)

5) da quattro a sei moschettoni (2-3 per ogni uomo della cordata) (four to six carabiners – snap links to those miltary types) (2-3 per every man with the rope – two men per rope)

6) un paio di pedule (a pair of climbing boots – pedule is a comfortable, lighter type of boot. I feel climbing boot is a good translation. The regular Alpini boot is called a scarponcelli con chidatura pesante)

7) un blochetto di carta colorata con frecce di direzzione ( a pad of color with direction arrows)

To this, weapons, food and the canteen are carried. The leader can add any suitable items from list B.

Pista!

Jeff

[histjunky]

Jeff,

Thank you very much for the information!!!!!!!!!!!! That was exactly what I was looking for did not expect to get as much info. Now I just need to hunt down that manual to see the pics and what snap links (carabiners have a locking nut) would be appropriate etc... I am very interested in this. Also is there any difference in twist rate of the rope for modern hemp rope? I want to be as accurate as possible.

[Jeff Leser]

Your welcome

There isn't a specific type of climbing gear used at this time. Pretty much all nations used commercially available items. Units would purchase what was needed. Goggle period climbing equipment and that would be what was used. Because there was a mountain climbing/tourist industry in Italy, the Alpini likely purchased Italian made items. The manual doesn’t provide any pictures of type/brands of equipment. The drawings indicate a standard non-locking carabiner of regular shape. The pitons are again standard, and include pitons with ring as well as the standard blade with eye hole.

No idea on the twist. Rope was gauged/rated by strength/weight capacity. Twist and number of strands varied based on the desired strength. Much depended on the manufacturer’s design. I believe you will find that a 12mm hemp rope from any manufacturer has a standard twist, as the diameter pretty much limits variations. The drawings also shows braided and central core ropes.

Quote

(carabiners have a locking nut)

Ah, no. Carabiners are based on shape and use. They can be either locking or non-locking. Snap link is just a common military slang for a carabiner. A snap is a popular term for a biner with a eye hole to secure a rope and hook shaped snap for attachment. In true climbing language, it is still a biner.

Pista!

Jeff

[Jeff Leser]

Here are some scans of the drawings.

Pista!

Jeff

Attached File(s)

•  Alpini_rope.jpg (131.72K)
  Number of downloads: 14
•  Alpini_Pitons.jpg (171.63K)
  Number of downloads: 18
•  Alpin_Carabiner.jpg (73.35K)
  Number of downloads: 14