UKC

Hello

I bought a lot including a lot of carabiners, where this old carabiner was in…
What does the (L) means and can it explain the a bit weird shape?

I’m myself an indoor top-rope instructor in Denmark ans gear nerd and too I have asked two high-skilled instructors (both nerds - the one is instuctor on highest Danish level for rock climbing-instructors) and a industrial tree climber, but without success…

Have you tried looking at the other side?

Just a guess, but L = load?

May be an out of use designation for carabiner type by the UIAA which are typically marked as a letter inside a circle.
 

See here:

https://www.paci.com.au/Downloads/S-EN12275_simplified.pdf

https://theuiaa.org/documents/safety/Recommendations_Standard_121_BMC.pdf

The letter in a circle is the type of carabiner/connector.  For example "H" is HMS, "X" is oval, "K" is for via ferrata ('Klettersteig').

I don't know about "L" though - just guessing here but perhaps that's because it's a locking carabiner as opposed to a general purpose snapgate (which would be type "B" for 'basic'.)

I don't understand quite what the OP means about it being a weird shape, perhaps I'm missing something but it looks like a fairly ordinary offset D to me.

The sharper angle bottom left, is typical of those that used to be used for via ferrata before twist lock took over.

It's the category of carabiner. Can't remember what the L stands for but that's definitely what it is...

Lilac?

It is the older NFPA L rating for light-use carabiners, this is now superceded by either UL or T (for technical use).

The NFPA is the (American) National Fire Protection Association and they deal with fire safety, rescue etc and certify equipment for the various requirements.

Locking Perhaps ?

My interpretation is: L in circle for closed and locked, i.e.,

     Locked: kN lengthwise 26 

                       across         6.4

            across gate open   5.5

A lilac screwgate in fact.

I gave the correct answer.

I apologise: in skimming through the previous replies I somehow missed yours. Thanks for the information.

Does 'UL' stand for 'Underwriters Laboratories'?

I doubt it, they are categories.

Are you sure?
The 'UL' in a circle on the karabiner below is the 'Underwriters Laboratories' logo:

It could be, the L in a circle is the old NFPA rating but what else is stamped  on them is anyones guess.