Well we didn't actually find these in a cave, but in the garage of a nice gentleman just north of Lillehammer. And yes, you read that right - these are vintage solid hickory MADSHUS cross-country skis. From probably the 1930s-1940s, given that laminated wood construction took over around the time of the second world war.
Madshus is one of the two surviving Norwegian ski manufacturers (props to Åsnes as well) in a domestic industry that used to have hundreds. Here's your free MBA lesson for the day - get complacent, and get your lunch money stolen. Like Detroit in the 80s, the Norwegian ski industry ignored an easily-predictable "storm of the century" in this case it was the introduction of plastic base, fiberglass skis to cross-country skiing in the early 70s. European ski manufacturers like Kniessl, Rossignol and Fischer took the Norwegian ski makers to the woodshed, beat them, and left them hanging by their underwear. Figuratively, of course.
Well, Madshus survived and got their act together. Olympic medal winners before the transition (Magnar Solberg, '72 biathlon), and since "Tall Thomas" Alsgaard (5 gull, 1 sølv), Ben Ogden (future winner), Madshus is synonymous in Norway with cross-country skiing. (Swix is originally Swedish)
Back to these skis. What can we say? They're classics. Solid hickory, with high-tech rear clasp "tempo"-style bindings. We've done our best to leave them as found, save a scrub down with some Murphy's and a base coat of pine tar from the Big Wax Company (see above). They are not without signs of wear: one ski displays "reverse camber" - easily fixed with a trip to a sauna, and also one looks like it was used once to hold a sign or fend off a home invasion. See pic of crack.
Some of the greatest minds in Norway have weighed in on what "Mønsterbeskyttet" means, and the best answer so far is that it was some Mashus trademark or patented design of the era.
Nonetheless, you'll want to add these to your quiver, racing or otherwise.
Bindings may be removed for shipping
Size: 205cm Camber: not much Width: 60mm at ski center Weight (pair): 1807gm + 1940gm w/ bindings Mfg date: 1940s Base: hickory
