Note, the slings had to be tied with tape knots, no sewn slings then.
See the effects of salt water erosion on the larger one, though they are over 30 years old.

Prototype? I still have a couple of those on my rack, purchased around 1978/9.

Me too, although wild country re-slung them for me in the late 80's. Still have them kicking around somewhere.

I have a couple like that too, save I've replaced the slings & one now has strimmer cord for the release wires.

They were prototypes in that I was given them to test before they went on sale, does anybody know when the nut and bolt system was replaced by rivets?

I bought a Friend 3 in 1985 that had nuts & a 1&1/2 at the same time that used a peened over bar (these were later recalled ). So I guess it was around then.

I have one just like the top one - salt damage, crab and all