From Supertopo forum
“Norton Smith and the First Modern Standard Angle 1950”
Writing by Steve Grossman

Norton Smith was a British gentleman who climbed in and around the Gunks during the 1950’s. In addition to pioneering early free routes, Norton designed and fabricated the first modern ring-less standard angle piton that I am aware of - the so called Smithe angle.

These babies were likely produced commercially starting around 1950. They are nicely formed from sheet steel but clearly not a more durable alloy.

Norton Smith began establishing routes in 1952 in the Gunks.

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What is interesting is that Norton Smithe made the Smithe pitons in 1950 and they were affiliated with the Gunks. But looking in the Neptune Museum, Gary displays pitons made by Dick Williams which were made in the late 1950s. Dick Williams is with the Vulgarian Mountaineering Club which is heavily affiliated with the Gunks. I have a letter written by Dick which mentions the pitons that Dick made. Both climbers climbing in the Gunks in the 1950s, both made pitons but hmmmm... these pitons look the same as each other.

I wonder what the story is here...............

Pitons from: Neptune Climbing Museum

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