RARE CHOUINARD BLACK DIAMOND 1989 -91 CARABINER & SOME HISTORY

Description

AUCTION is for the Chouinard Anodized Bent Gate Carabiner shown in the first three photos.    It is in working condition, but since it dates to 1989 - 1991, should be considered an artifact.
For various reasons, Chouinard declared bankruptcy for Chouinard Equipment at the end of 1989, Chouinard’s clothing company Patagonia was a huge money maker for Chouinard, & the climbing & ski hardgoods division was not. There was also a substantial liability risk with selling climbing & ski gear. Chouinard Gear employees formed Black Diamond. Black Diamond initially used the Chouinard tools & machinery & much of what they sold for the first two years was still marked Chouinard.
In Black Diamond's first climbing gear catalog in 1990, the carabiners are all still marked Chouinard & would be at least for another year. However anodized versions of the Quicksilver & Bentgate Quicksilver are introduced in 4 colors.    Those first Anodized Quicksilvers & Bentgate Quicksilvers, were likely part of the inventory Black Diamond bought from Chouinard Equipment, but after a while, a Black Diamond logo was added, just to the right of Chouinard.   This carabiner does show both Chouinard & Black Diamond logos.
Interestingly, these carabiners show up very rarely on EBay.
The first catalog photo is the cover of the 1990 Black Diamond catalog, their first catalog.   The next photo if from that catalog & the last photo is of an Oct. 1990 Black Diamond ad in Climbing Magazine.    I'll be happy to send jpegs of these catalog photos to the winning bidder, at their request.   My email will be on your packing list.
Chouinard started manufacturing pitons in Ventura, CA in the mid-1950's. His climbing hardware company became The Great Pacific Ironworks in 1972.
It was the climbing hardware branch of Chouinard's clothing brand Patagonia, then it became Chouinard Equipment again in the early 1980's.    Chouinard sold it to the employees that started BLACK DIAMOND IN 1989.   Chouinard climbing gear then disappeared as a brand name, but Chouinard has retained ownership of Patagonia to the present day.
A Great item from the "golden-age" of American climbing for your collection, research, or museum.
From a Non-smoking household.
I ship within 24 hours of payment, except my local post office is closed on weekends.
I will combine shipping, to save you money, on all items purchased within the same 5-day period.  Just let me know?
Customer Satisfaction is my #1 Priority!
I value and respect my customers and will definitely work with buyers to make sure everyone is pleased.
Please check out my other collectable climbing items on auction!