Stubai History from the Stubai website:
1742: Tradinghouse Volderauer was established.
1897: Blacksmith masters establish a cooperation.
1960: The cooperation is renamed to: STUBAI Werkzeugindustrie reg. Gen.m.b.H.
Another major step to today´s companys structure and to secure the future Business was the certifying in guidance of ISO 9001.
45 Blacksmith´s manufactured already in the 17th century knives and products for the agricultural Industrie and sold them well beyond the Valley.
The Stubai Tooling Cooperation was founded in 1897 but History proved that the forging of steel in the Valley of Stubai reaches back in the 14th century
Felix Ralling’s smithy was based in the Stubai valley in a small village called Fulpmes which became the heart of the iron industry in the Stubai valley and was often referred to as ‘Village of Smithy’.
1742: Tradinghouse Volderauer was established.
1897: Blacksmith masters establish a cooperation.
1960: The cooperation is renamed to: STUBAI Werkzeugindustrie reg. Gen.m.b.H.
Another major step to today´s companys structure and to secure the future Business was the certifying in guidance of ISO 9001.
45 Blacksmith´s manufactured already in the 17th century knives and products for the agricultural Industrie and sold them well beyond the Valley.
The Stubai Tooling Cooperation was founded in 1897 but History proved that the forging of steel in the Valley of Stubai reaches back in the 14th century
Felix Ralling’s smithy was based in the Stubai valley in a small village called Fulpmes which became the heart of the iron industry in the Stubai valley and was often referred to as ‘Village of Smithy’.
Looking at the cornucopia of Stubai history tidbits: Many blacksmiths working together eventually form a alliance or together became a cooperation which created products in the Stubai Valley in Austria. The cooperation formed in 1897. Today looking at climbing products from the 1930s and into the 1960s there are many items that do not have a manufacturers stamp on the products. But many simply are stamped “Made in Austria.” Many old catalogs that show products do not list a company name, but list that the products were made in Austria. There may have been many or just one blacksmith that was creating the mountaineering products within the Cooperation which was Felix Ralling. I am not sure exactly when Felix Ralling started creating pitons, but his ice axes go back into the 1920s, and maybe further. The ice axes are marked “F.Ralling Hammerwerk Fulpmes.” The F.Ralling pitons may have started in the 1930s.
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In 1897 thirty small iron industry companies formed the Cooperation which was centered on creations of five product divisions. - Tools for Craftsmen and Industry - Garden and Agriculture - Cutlery and Household Hardware - Wrought Iron Decorative Fittings and Lanterns - Mountaineering Hardware |
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I always wondered why the products were only marked “Made in Austria,” which was possibly because all of these smaller companies were creating for the larger, but the larger, the “Cooperation” didn’t have a overall name. In 1960 the Cooperation, or Co-Operative was given a name and Stubai became the overall. In the Stubai 1980 catalog it is written: A staff of 500 people in 39 factories produce 4000 different articles: each article bears the quality mark STUBAI and is manufactured with the strong conviction that “Made in Austria” must mean the best.
Stubai history shows that the Stubai marks on products started in 1960, but I believe the marks started in 1959. I was able to find some proof of that where on the Vertical Archaeology website, Ashby shows the “Good Companions” catalogue offered by Thomas Black & Sons from 1959, which has a product "Ice Pitons" showing in it listed as Stubai. The F.Ralling Hammerwerk Fulpmes pitons became the Stubai pitons starting sometime 1959/1960.
This Good Companions catalog shows perfectly the confusion that collectors face today as they work to make sense of the Made in Austria products. This one page alone shows four different items which seem to come from four different manufacturers which in true |
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are all from the same Cooperation. The Ice Pitons state: “Made by the Austrian firm, Stubai, of world repute.” The Ten Point Crampons state: “A Hand-forged product of the Austrian Tyrol. The Instep Crampons state: Another Fulpmes product.” The Lightweight Adjustable Crampons state: Austrian made.” There are four different Austrian references, which actually are all from the same Cooperation.
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A conversation with Christopher Kanca - January 2025
(From Chris:)
Hi, I found your site while researching some very vintage ice axes. Found your site pretty interesting. I thin kin I can help with your axes listed as “Unknown #1” Pretty sure it’s a Werkgen Fulpmes product. They used a rendition of the town seal for Fulpmes, Austria as their logo for a while in the early 1900s. In case you’re not aware, Werkgen Fulpmes is the shortened form of “Werkgenossenschaft der Stubaier Kleineisenindustries – Fulpmes”. Basically, it was a co-op of 27 small ironworks in/around the Fulpmes area that banded together. Not well known but in 1955, Werkgen Fulpmes changed their name to “Stubai” and subsequently marketed their items under the Stubai brand name. Still in business today.
In any case, I’ve attached the Werkgen Fulpmes logo on the adze of an older ice axe. I believe this logo was used until the end of WW1 (1918). At some point, the oval logo was adopted – Werkgen – Fulpmes and sometime a model name for the axe – Aschenbrenner, etc. The Werkgen Fulpmes model, Franz Senn, featured a diamond logo – a forerunner of the Stubai logo to come.
In 1958, the Stubai diamond (rhombus) logo appeared. In the 1970s, the diamond changed to the rendition of a 3-peak mountain with STUBAI within the mountain.
Hope you found this of some use.
(From Chris:)
Hi, I found your site while researching some very vintage ice axes. Found your site pretty interesting. I thin kin I can help with your axes listed as “Unknown #1” Pretty sure it’s a Werkgen Fulpmes product. They used a rendition of the town seal for Fulpmes, Austria as their logo for a while in the early 1900s. In case you’re not aware, Werkgen Fulpmes is the shortened form of “Werkgenossenschaft der Stubaier Kleineisenindustries – Fulpmes”. Basically, it was a co-op of 27 small ironworks in/around the Fulpmes area that banded together. Not well known but in 1955, Werkgen Fulpmes changed their name to “Stubai” and subsequently marketed their items under the Stubai brand name. Still in business today.
In any case, I’ve attached the Werkgen Fulpmes logo on the adze of an older ice axe. I believe this logo was used until the end of WW1 (1918). At some point, the oval logo was adopted – Werkgen – Fulpmes and sometime a model name for the axe – Aschenbrenner, etc. The Werkgen Fulpmes model, Franz Senn, featured a diamond logo – a forerunner of the Stubai logo to come.
In 1958, the Stubai diamond (rhombus) logo appeared. In the 1970s, the diamond changed to the rendition of a 3-peak mountain with STUBAI within the mountain.
Hope you found this of some use.
Photo by: Chris Kanca
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Photo by: Chris Kanca
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(From Marty:)
Chris, The weakest item in my museum is ice axes. I have a few ice axes but dont have the monies to collect them. I started gathering photos of ice axe heads, mainly the ones that have a symbol on them, to cross reference with symbols on older pitons and hammers.
I gathered a bunch of history from the Stubai website which is shown in the museum under Stubai pitons. Stubai mentions that they did not put their "Stubai" name on any product pre 1960. So for many years I have been searching for proof to break that Stubai 1960 code. You are mentioning that in 1955 the diamond logo appeared. I don't doubt this to be true but my challenge to you will be, can you prove that to be true in any other form than somebody's personal memory. Stubai is easy to follow 1960 and up. However Stubai seems to be non existent in the 1950s.
Throughout the older gear catalogs is many pitons and hammers all marked with only "Made in Austria." This 'Made in Austria" co-op places a difficulty on identifying whom actually created the gear. You are saying a co-op of 27 iron works all created this Made in Austria product line. Good times! I have put together a bunch of pitons under F.Ralling as creator which appear to lead into the begining of Stubai judging by the piton shapes between late 1950s into the early 1960s Stubai. Jim Bridwell helped me build a philosophy of what to look for while swimming through the Made in Austria creations. It mostly comes down to a "feeling" of what it is.
Thanks for the history stuff. I am psyched to add it to the museum!!
Chris, The weakest item in my museum is ice axes. I have a few ice axes but dont have the monies to collect them. I started gathering photos of ice axe heads, mainly the ones that have a symbol on them, to cross reference with symbols on older pitons and hammers.
I gathered a bunch of history from the Stubai website which is shown in the museum under Stubai pitons. Stubai mentions that they did not put their "Stubai" name on any product pre 1960. So for many years I have been searching for proof to break that Stubai 1960 code. You are mentioning that in 1955 the diamond logo appeared. I don't doubt this to be true but my challenge to you will be, can you prove that to be true in any other form than somebody's personal memory. Stubai is easy to follow 1960 and up. However Stubai seems to be non existent in the 1950s.
Throughout the older gear catalogs is many pitons and hammers all marked with only "Made in Austria." This 'Made in Austria" co-op places a difficulty on identifying whom actually created the gear. You are saying a co-op of 27 iron works all created this Made in Austria product line. Good times! I have put together a bunch of pitons under F.Ralling as creator which appear to lead into the begining of Stubai judging by the piton shapes between late 1950s into the early 1960s Stubai. Jim Bridwell helped me build a philosophy of what to look for while swimming through the Made in Austria creations. It mostly comes down to a "feeling" of what it is.
Thanks for the history stuff. I am psyched to add it to the museum!!
(From Chris:)
A quick recap:
"Stubai" diamond/rhombus logo filed as a trademark in 1958. Same diamond logo is seen in use on every page of the 1955 product catalog but the business name on the cover is still Werkgenossen der Stubaier Kleineisenindustrie — Fulpmes. Ice axes within the catalog
Company files to do business as "Stubai" in Apr 1955 with an effective date of name change in Oct 1956.
I have not seen any Stubai-marked product that can be confirmed as manufactured prior to 1955. In the 1955 catalog, the depictions of the various iceaxe models are not clear enough to discern if the Stubai diamond is present. I don't see
From 1898-1950s, products were marked with variations of the Werkgen - Fulpmes logos
A quick recap:
"Stubai" diamond/rhombus logo filed as a trademark in 1958. Same diamond logo is seen in use on every page of the 1955 product catalog but the business name on the cover is still Werkgenossen der Stubaier Kleineisenindustrie — Fulpmes. Ice axes within the catalog
Company files to do business as "Stubai" in Apr 1955 with an effective date of name change in Oct 1956.
I have not seen any Stubai-marked product that can be confirmed as manufactured prior to 1955. In the 1955 catalog, the depictions of the various iceaxe models are not clear enough to discern if the Stubai diamond is present. I don't see
From 1898-1950s, products were marked with variations of the Werkgen - Fulpmes logos
Business name registration and name change, c.1958
From: Chris Kanca |
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(From Marty:)
This is great history for sure. I knew the diamond logo was a early mark, which I have a few pitons with the Stubai diamond. I will have to adjust the Stubai history a little bit on my museum which if you are okay with it, I will love to add your wordage to the research.
I wonder why on the Stubai website that they show the history as 1960?
You are showing that the Stubai name came 5 years sooner than 1960.
If you have the 1955 catalog that shows the Stubai in diamond mark on the pages, can you please send me possibly two of the pages that show the mark?
Presently the bulk of the Stubai history I found is shared on my website under title "Stubai Pitons."
Looks like you have the climbing gear collector bug as well.
I love digging into the mysteries.
Thank you for sharing this info
:)
Happy New Year!
This is great history for sure. I knew the diamond logo was a early mark, which I have a few pitons with the Stubai diamond. I will have to adjust the Stubai history a little bit on my museum which if you are okay with it, I will love to add your wordage to the research.
I wonder why on the Stubai website that they show the history as 1960?
You are showing that the Stubai name came 5 years sooner than 1960.
If you have the 1955 catalog that shows the Stubai in diamond mark on the pages, can you please send me possibly two of the pages that show the mark?
Presently the bulk of the Stubai history I found is shared on my website under title "Stubai Pitons."
Looks like you have the climbing gear collector bug as well.
I love digging into the mysteries.
Thank you for sharing this info
:)
Happy New Year!
(From Chris:)
I think the 1960 reference might be when the legal change happened vs when the paperwork was filed?
The attached images are from the 1955 catalog. Of interest are the original cooperative name on the top center and the Stubai logo making its appaearance in the lower left. I included a few additional pages to confirm the year and also to show the Stubai logo on the internal pages. I wish the photos were clearer so we could see if the diamond logo is on the products yet
I found a 1947 dated history of Werkgenossenschaft Fulpmes at a Vienna archive site. It glosses over the WW2 years but is a great reference for detailing the companies that made up the co-op. Interesting that members could market items with their own brand (Rallings — and their Akademiepickel) or as Werkgen-Fulpmes.
Company made 120,000 ice axes in the first 3 years of WW1. I thought it would be easy to track down photos to see if there was a logo present. Still looking 
I think the 1960 reference might be when the legal change happened vs when the paperwork was filed?
The attached images are from the 1955 catalog. Of interest are the original cooperative name on the top center and the Stubai logo making its appaearance in the lower left. I included a few additional pages to confirm the year and also to show the Stubai logo on the internal pages. I wish the photos were clearer so we could see if the diamond logo is on the products yet
I found a 1947 dated history of Werkgenossenschaft Fulpmes at a Vienna archive site. It glosses over the WW2 years but is a great reference for detailing the companies that made up the co-op. Interesting that members could market items with their own brand (Rallings — and their Akademiepickel) or as Werkgen-Fulpmes.
Company made 120,000 ice axes in the first 3 years of WW1. I thought it would be easy to track down photos to see if there was a logo present. Still looking 
1955 Werkgenossenschaft / Stubai catalog. Showing the Stubai diamond logo. From: Chris Kanca
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(From Marty:)
This is totally awesome!!! I think what I will do is to create a Stubai history tab and put all of the history info on that, leaving Stubai pitons as its own tab just being pitons. This way I can show all of this history that you just shared. I will include your name with the info showing you as a historian. This way the page can continually get added to as more info comes in. So whatever you want to write about climbing gear, Stubai or otherwise, I will continually add your info.
Wow, made 120,000 ice axes in just 3 years, 1940s.
* Question: Does the 1955 catalog show any pitons or ice pitons?
Looks like I will use your research to adjust some of the F.Ralling history writing on my website as well.
Congratulations on breaking the 1960 Stubai code, and pushing the date back to now 1955.
Of course the items that only have marked "Made in Austria" (hammers, pitons and such) still is a mess but can be sorted out as more older catalogs surface.
This is excellent. I wish I did'nt have to go to work today because I am psyched to get this info on the site.
Thank you for sharing!!!
This is totally awesome!!! I think what I will do is to create a Stubai history tab and put all of the history info on that, leaving Stubai pitons as its own tab just being pitons. This way I can show all of this history that you just shared. I will include your name with the info showing you as a historian. This way the page can continually get added to as more info comes in. So whatever you want to write about climbing gear, Stubai or otherwise, I will continually add your info.
Wow, made 120,000 ice axes in just 3 years, 1940s.
* Question: Does the 1955 catalog show any pitons or ice pitons?
Looks like I will use your research to adjust some of the F.Ralling history writing on my website as well.
Congratulations on breaking the 1960 Stubai code, and pushing the date back to now 1955.
Of course the items that only have marked "Made in Austria" (hammers, pitons and such) still is a mess but can be sorted out as more older catalogs surface.
This is excellent. I wish I did'nt have to go to work today because I am psyched to get this info on the site.
Thank you for sharing!!!
(From Chris:)
That 120,000 ice axes was between 1914-1916, so WW1
The company history completely glosses over WW2 although I do know Werkgen Fulpmes produced ice axes for the Wehrmacht. Remember, in 1938 Austrians voted to become part of Germany and the existing Austrian army was absorbed into the German military. I’ve not found any production data from WW2 and I think Stubai prefers to pretend they didn't exist prior to 1955.
That 120,000 ice axes was between 1914-1916, so WW1
The company history completely glosses over WW2 although I do know Werkgen Fulpmes produced ice axes for the Wehrmacht. Remember, in 1938 Austrians voted to become part of Germany and the existing Austrian army was absorbed into the German military. I’ve not found any production data from WW2 and I think Stubai prefers to pretend they didn't exist prior to 1955.
(From Marty:)
Looking closer at the Stubai 1955 catalog you sent me, there are a lot of gear illustrations that have the Stubai diamond or Stubai word.
Fig. 860 crampons have the Stubai diamond
Fig. 892 Skiwerkzeug (hand grip) has Stubai word. Wow this device looks nasty. I want one of these for sure or at least a photo of what it really looks like! So cool and vicious!!
Fig. 893 Skiabziehklinge has Stubai diamond
Fig. 896 carabiner with Stubai word
Fig. 902 hammer with Stubai word
Fig. 911 and Fig. 912 Axe has Stubai diamond
The price list shows a date of September 1955. I notice that the catalog is missing page 18. I always thought that the word “ditto” was a 1980s thing, but here in the price list they use that word a few times. Classic!
So I have thrown together the Stubai history stuff in my museum which still needs to be tweaked a little more, but I put it in conversation form with you and me. This is so cool to see this history getting dialed in to be closer to correctness. I still have to go back into the Stubai pitons and Stubai ice screws pages and rework the history with those.
Looking closer at the Stubai 1955 catalog you sent me, there are a lot of gear illustrations that have the Stubai diamond or Stubai word.
Fig. 860 crampons have the Stubai diamond
Fig. 892 Skiwerkzeug (hand grip) has Stubai word. Wow this device looks nasty. I want one of these for sure or at least a photo of what it really looks like! So cool and vicious!!
Fig. 893 Skiabziehklinge has Stubai diamond
Fig. 896 carabiner with Stubai word
Fig. 902 hammer with Stubai word
Fig. 911 and Fig. 912 Axe has Stubai diamond
The price list shows a date of September 1955. I notice that the catalog is missing page 18. I always thought that the word “ditto” was a 1980s thing, but here in the price list they use that word a few times. Classic!
So I have thrown together the Stubai history stuff in my museum which still needs to be tweaked a little more, but I put it in conversation form with you and me. This is so cool to see this history getting dialed in to be closer to correctness. I still have to go back into the Stubai pitons and Stubai ice screws pages and rework the history with those.
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With the history of the pitons I don’t think this totally creates a new rule of how to identify the piton ages. This now refers that any piton that shows the “Stubai” mark can actually go back to 1955. If the piton is only marked “Made in Austria, or “Austria,” that piton was made for the CoOp and dates pre. 1955. I can already see the pitons on eBay going up in cost with this new info. I still think that the Austria pitons that do not have the “Stubai” mark are not all pre 1955. I have so many versions of Made in Austria pitons that look newer and one that has a ink mark that looks to me from the 1970s/1980s. So the CoOp still had other blacksmiths still creating pitons while Stubai created its own company spanning away from the CoOp, or Stubai was having the CoOp make them for Stubai?
Stubai pitons
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F.Ralling pitons? (pre 1955)
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F.Ralling pitons? (Pre 1955)
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I know out of the 27 to 45 individual blacksmiths in the Austrian CoOp, only a few were creating products for mountaineering. One being F.Ralling. Maybe over time a F.Ralling catalog pre 1955 will surface or other pre 1955 Austrian company catalogs will surface showing more pitons and ice axes to help further identify ages of the historic gear and manufacturer names that created the gear.
Out of all of my old Stubai pitons, only one has a Stubai diamond mark. |
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Thank you for all of your help with Stubai history!!