The Rigger Depot
​
  • AAF
    • AN-6513 Harness >
      • AN6513-1 Pack
      • AN6513-1A Pack
    • A-3 Harness >
      • A-3 Chest Pack
    • Observer Harness
    • A-4 Harness >
      • A-4 Chest Pack
    • B-7 Back Type
    • B-8 Back Type
    • Seat Packs
  • British
    • Observer Harness
    • Observer Pack
    • RAF Seat Harness
    • RAF First Aid Packet
    • Dinghy/Raft Cases
    • Type X Mk1
    • Type X Mk2
    • Type-X Camouflage
    • SOE Type X
    • Jedburgh Type X
  • Troop Chutes
    • T-4 Assembly
    • Troop Reserves >
      • 41K Reserve (training)
      • 43H Reserve (Normandy)
      • 44J Reserve (Varsity)
      • Economy Reserve
    • T-5 Training
    • T-5 Normandy
    • T-5 Market Garden
    • T-5 Varsity
    • X-5 Modification Kit
    • T-7 Assemblies
    • T-5 FSSF
  • Airborne
    • Parachute First Aid
    • Escape & Evasion Kit
    • Airborne Kit Bag
    • BC-611 Harness
    • 5-hole Chinstrap
    • G-1 Cargo Pack
    • Griswold Bag
    • 517th Chincup
  • Navy
    • Navy Seat Harness
    • Navy QAS Harness
    • QAS Pack Tray
    • AN-6513 Harness
    • Navy Chest Pack
    • Paramarine Chutes
  • Flight Gear
    • Flak Vest
    • Aviator Kit Bag
    • Escape & Evasion Kit
    • E&E Contents
    • First Aid Packet (Zippered)
    • Parachute First Aid Packet (2nd Version)
    • RAF First Aid Packet
    • A-3 Gunners Strap
    • Headset Ear Cushions
  • Parts
    • Bungees
    • Canopies & Fillers
    • Back pads/Cushions
    • Log Records
    • T-5/7 Pullout Panel
    • Harness Tacking Kit
    • T-5 Pack Lacing
    • Repair/Repack
    • Other
  • Reference
    • "What They Wore"
    • QAC Color Coding
    • Why So Many Seat Parachutes?
    • Bailout Stats
    • Static Line Hooks
    • Quick Release T-5
    • T-7 & T-10 Transition
    • Pack Bungees
    • Camo Parachutes
  • Info
    • Ordering
    • Contact
    • Repair/Repack
    • Aging Services
    • About
    • Identifying Marks
  • Film
Picture

"HOOK UP!" - Evolution of WWII Static Line Hooks 



#0:  Lineman's Hook

The early T-4 static line hooks were a stopgap measure until one for this specific  application could be developed. Known as a lineman’s pole snap, it was originally designed to help secure technicians while  climbing electrical poles.
 This hook has several slight variations and stands at just over 5 inches tall. At approximately 10.5 ounces, this heavy hook was made from blackened steel with the wide characteristic roller over which the webbing passed. This hook was rapidly replaced by the new 41B3674. 
​
​

#1 & 2: Hook 41B3674

The T-4 and early T-5 parachutes employed the simple spring-loaded 8.5-ounce 41B3674 snap hook. In late 1941/early 1942 a safety pin was added.  Motion picture photography revealed that during the jump sequence the snap hooks rebounded off each other and could unhook, releasing the jumper. 
The result was pin, Part No. 42A3519, which screwed into the gate and firmly locked the gate closed after being snapped onto the anchor cable. The pin was attached to the snap hook by a short length of cord.



#3: Hook 42B3232

In February 1942 snap hook 42B3232 was introduced and would become the most common fastener on the white training style T-5s. This mammoth hook, weighing in at just over a pound and measuring approximately 6.5” long, was the first in a long line of sliding-gate fasteners which are still in use today.
The   main improvement was the vertical sliding gate, which was locked by a spring-loaded push button. This type could not accidentally unhook, as it required the deliberate actions of the user to depress the button and simultaneously slide the gate downward.  A total of 9 parts were required to make this unwieldy beast,  leading to the development of the simpler 43A9502 hook .

 

#4: Hook 43A9502

The last days of 1942 ushered in the 1,500 lb T.S. 43A9502 snap hook. Although it retained the characteristic sliding gate mechanism, the new hook weighed 8.5 ounces - only one-half of its predecessor. In addition, the length was reduced to about 5", compared to the 6.5" length of 42B3232. This snap can easily be identified by its truncated front edge running nearly the full length of the hook. 
Many of the early batches were parkarized to  match the newly introduced camouflage assemblies, but this was soon switched to the standard cadmium. However, both types soldiered on until the end of the war. Snap fastener 43A9502 was the most widely used static line hook of the war.

 

#5: Late WWII Version

In December 1944, the specification for snap hook 43A9502 was further simplified. The result was a slab-sided  hook which was slightly thinner and lacked the truncated front edge, but otherwise identical to the original version. This model appeared late in WWII and saw only limited action before the end of the war. This was standard issue for the quick release T-7 parachute.

 

Postwar Versions

In 1947, an additional safety feature was incorporated into snap hook 43A9502. A hole through which a safety pin could be inserted was drilled on the upper portion of the hook through both the sliding gate and frame. With the pin in place, it was impossible to retract the gate and release the hook from the anchor cable.  Later, the safety pin hole was moved under the gate, and some transitional variations even have both holes. Circa 1960s, the drawing number switched to MS70120, which still has certain applications today.
Picture
Courtesy Matt Anderson
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
All parachute systems and related components manufactured by The Rigger Depot are strictly for display. The manufacturer does not accept any liability in any way, shape, or form. All text & images Copyright 2021