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#3, Version B |
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[ Top
| Version B
| Version C
| Version D
| Version E
| Version F ]
[ Version G
| #2 Version B
| #3 Version B
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I acquired in the early 1970s, but I don't have a record of where or from whom I acquired it.
Version A is 104 mm. tall, 71 mm. wide, 57 mm. thick, and weighs 186 g.
This is the earliest spring-loaded Gibbs in my collection. It has two springs connected by a split ring. One spring runs from a machine screw set in the cam to the split ring. When the split ring is placed over a "hook" punched out of the shell, it pulls the cam closed. The second spring pulls the split ring upward, which is necessary to keep the split ring on the hook because the hook is not aimed in the proper direction to resist the pull from the cam.
This ascender uses a chain as the quick release pin keeper.
This is the ascender shown in the Gibbs Patent #4253218.
[ Top
| Version A
| Version C
| Version D
| Version E
| Version F ]
[ Version G
| #2 Version B
| #3 Version B
| Return to E.C. Ascenders
]
I acquired Version B used on eBay from Gene Clinger in 2008.
Version B is 104 mm. tall, 71 mm. wide, 57 mm. thick, and weighs 189 g.
The shell is made from 1/8" (3.2 mm.) aluminum alloy bent to form a 17 mm. wide U-shaped rope channel.
The cam is hard anodized cast aluminum. The cam radius increases from 16 to 33 mm. over an angle of 85°, giving a 27° cam angle. There are nine teeth, and the cam toe is tapered so that the end teeth are narrower. A quick release pin acts as the cam axle. A coil spring attaches to the cam by a Phillips-head machine screw. The other end of the spring is attached to a split ring that can loop over a hook punched outward from the shell. One chain keeper attaches the quick release pin to the top of the shell, a second attaches the split ring to the midpoint of the shell (thereby indirectly attaching the cam), and a third chain acts as a pull for the split ring.
Gibbs turned the hook so that it would resist the pull from the spring to the cam. This eliminated the need for a second spring.
The cams on Versions A through F all have the same shape. Each of these versions was available with either plain and hard-coated cams. The hard cams wear much better than the unfinished cams.
[ Top
| Version A
| Version B
| Version D
| Version E
| Version F ]
[ Version G
| #2 Version B
| #3 Version B
| Return to E.C. Ascenders
]
I don't have a record of where or from whom I acquired my first Version C, but I assume that it was in the 1970s. I acquired a second one used on eBay from Gene Clinger in 2008.
Version C is 104 mm. tall, 72 mm. wide, 57 mm. thick, and weighs 197 g. The chain keeper for the Quick Release pin is now hooked through the chain to the split ring.
[ Top
| Version A
| Version B
| Version C
| Version E
| Version F ]
[ Version G
| #2 Version B
| #3 Version B
| Return to E.C. Ascenders
]
I don't have a record of where or from whom I acquired my first Version D.
The first big improvement in the spring-loaded Gibbs was the introduction of the wire spring. The early models did not have a housing, and it was easy to damage the spring in rough caving conditions. This ascender still uses a chain as a quick release pin retainer. Version D is 104 mm. tall, 70 mm. wide, 57 mm. thick, and weighs 182 g.
[ Top
| Version A
| Version B
| Version C
| Version D
| Version F ]
[ Version G
| #2 Version B
| #3 Version B
| Return to E.C. Ascenders
]
I acquired my Version E used on eBay from Ronald Krieger in 2008.
Version E is 104 mm. tall, 70 mm. wide, 57 mm. thick, and weighs 180 g. The quick release pin keeper was changed to a 1.7 mm. stainless steel cable attached to a teardrop-shaped plate riveted to the shell. The plate did not quite fit, so the lower end needed to be sheared off.
I don't like the cable keeper since it is rather stiff and seems to resist aligning the quick release pin.
[ Top
| Version A
| Version B
| Version C
| Version D
| Version E ]
[ Version G
| #2 Version B
| #3 Version B
| Return to E.C. Ascenders
]
I acquired this Gibbs from John E. Weinel, Inc. in 1991.
Gibbs added a plastic housing that protects the spring wire.
Version F is 104 mm. tall, 72 mm. wide, 65 mm. thick, and weighs 187 g.
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| Version A
| Version B
| Version C
| Version D
| Version E ]
[ Version F
| #2 Version B
| #3 Version B
| Return to E.C. Ascenders
]
I acquired this Gibbs from Sheryle Bauer in 2009.
Version G is 103 mm. tall, 72 mm. wide, 63 mm. thick, and weighs 337 g. Version G has a stanless steel shell that accounts for the excessive weight.
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| Version A
| Version B
| Version C
| Version D
| Version E ]
| Version F
| Version G
[ #3 Version B
| Return to E.C. Ascenders
]
I acquired this Gibbs from Inner Mountain Outfitters in 2006.
This Gibbs has a new cam design (the same as on the Gibbs #1). At first glance it appears to be milled from plate, but closer inspection shows a parting line in the middle. My guess is that it is forged, and then the eye and pivot holes are drilled. The edges of the eye are sharp, although one side was ground slightly after the cam was anodized.
The spring mechanism is similar to the one on Version F, but the cam attachment is now a cotter pin pressed into a hole rather than a Phillips head machine screw. The pin keeper is now a piece of 13 mm. tubular webbing riveted to the shell and connected to the pin with a split ring.
The shell has the dimples introduced on Gibbs #2 Version A. That version is a much larger ascender so it does not belong on this page.
One side of the shell is stamped with an arrow pointing up and "UP," the Gibbs logo, and "NOT FOR SELF BELAY." The other side is stamped with an arrow pointing up and "UP," the Gibbs logo, and "USE ONLY ON NON-METAL ROPE FROM 7/16 TO 1/2."
Overall, I think Version F was better designed and better made.
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| Version A
| Version B
| Version C
| Version D
| Version E ]
| Version F
| Version G
[ #2 Version B
|| Return to E.C. Ascenders
]
I acquired my Gibbs #3, Version B from On Rope 1 in 2009.
Version B is 104 mm. tall, 77 mm. wide, 63 mm. thick, and weighs 237 g. The shell is made from 5.1 mm aluminum sheet and has two dimples opposite the cam face. The cam appears to be milled from aluminum plate and then hard anodized. The QR pin is 9.3 mm in diameter. The cam is spring-loaded with a wire spring that sits in a plastic housing. A piece of webbing riveted to the spring housing acts as a keeper for the QR pin.
The left side of the shell is stamped with an arrow, "UP," "Gibbs," and "USE ONLY ON NON METAL ROPE FROM 7/16 TO 1/2." The right side is stamped with an arrow, "UP," "Gibbs" and "NOT FOR SELF BELAY." There are no marks on the QR pin.
The Gibbs numbering scheme can drive one mad! At one point #3 referred to a 5/8" Gibbs (e.g., #3, Version A), now it refers to a 1/2# Gibbs with a thicker shell. The thicker shell may be stronger, but for caving use, the thinner shell is adequate and weighs less.
[ Top
| Version A
| Version B
| Version C
| Version D
| Version E ]
Version F
| Version G
| #2 Version B
| #3 Version B
]
