Petersen
Petersen shackles are forged by Petersen Stainless Rigging, a shackle and stainless bar specialist founded in Bergen, Norway, and based at Blaydon-on-Tyne in north-east England since 1978. We stock two families: 316L D, long D, twist and bow shackles for sailing, with 5 to 19 mm pins, and high-tensile 17-4PH D shackles, proof-tested for lifting from 1 to 9 t. Read more below.
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Petersen shackles: a forge from Bergen to Tyneside
Petersen began in the early 1900s as an engineering forge in Bergen, Norway, serving the marine and farming trades. It moved to England in 1978 and now works from Cowen Road, Blaydon-on-Tyne. Its speciality is turning, upset forging and forming stainless steel bar. Besides yachting, its shackles go into lifting, petrochemical, architectural and aerospace work. In 2013 it became the first bar shackle maker certified to the aerospace quality standard AS9100.
The process matters for a shackle. Petersen forms the head by electrical upset forging, which keeps the grain of the bar flowing around the bow instead of cutting across it, as machining from solid would. The result is a fitting with good fatigue strength for its size, which is what a shackle on a halyard, sheet or tack needs.
Choosing Petersen shackles: sailing or lifting
We stock two different families, and they are rated differently. The 316L sailing shackles carry a minimum breaking load. The 17-4PH high-tensile shackles carry a working load limit, proof-tested and certified for lifting. Pick the family by the job, then the shape and pin size.
316L sailing shackles: D, long D, twist and bow
The sailing range is forged from 316L stainless steel. Its low carbon content makes it a good choice for parts left out in salt water. Breaking loads by pin diameter, as Petersen gives them:
| Pin | D | Bow | Twist | Long D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mm | 1,500 kg | 1,200 kg | 1,200 kg | 1,200 kg |
| 6 mm | 1,950 kg | 1,600 kg | 1,600 kg | 1,600 kg |
| 8 mm | 3,000 kg | 2,400 kg | 2,400 kg | 2,400 kg |
| 9.5 mm | 4,800 kg | 3,800 kg | 3,800 kg | 3,800 kg |
| 11 mm | – | 4,800 kg | – | – |
| 12.7 mm | 7,500 kg | 6,000 kg | 6,000 kg | – |
| 16 mm | 10,000 kg | 8,000 kg | – | – |
| 19 mm | – | 10,000 kg | 11,000 kg | – |
A Petersen D shackle is the strongest shape for its pin, for a straight pull. A Petersen bow shackle accepts loads from several directions, such as a block or two lines on one point. A Petersen twist shackle turns the pin through 90° so a block or a sail's head or clew lies in line with the load. The long D reaches through thick or awkward fittings. Bow shackles come with three pins. The standard screw pin is the plain option. The shake-proof retained pin resists working loose and cannot be dropped over the side. The socket pin sits flush, so there is nothing to catch a sail or sheet.
High-tensile Petersen shackles: 17-4PH, proof-tested
The high-tensile D shackles are forged from 17-4PH, a precipitation-hardening stainless steel. It is much stronger than 316L, with corrosion resistance similar to 18/8 grades. Each one is proof-load tested to twice its working load limit, with a 6:1 factor of safety, and made in accordance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. An inspection certificate to BS EN 10204 3.1 is available on request.
| Working load limit | 1 t | 2 t | 3 t | 5 t | 7 t | 9 t |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin | 10 mm | 12.7 mm | 16 mm | 19 mm | 22.2 mm | 25.4 mm |
Each size comes with a standard screw collar pin (type A), an extended screw collar pin (type AL) or a countersunk head pin (type B). They suit lifting a tender or engine, tethering, and any point where a certified working load is needed.
Breaking load or working load?
The two families are rated differently, so the numbers are not interchangeable. A breaking load is the load at which a shackle fails. For sailing use, choose a shackle whose breaking load is well above the highest load the line or fitting will see, typically a margin of several times. A working load limit already includes the safety factor: the 1 t high-tensile shackle may be loaded to 1 t, with a minimum breaking load six times that. For any lifting, use the rated high-tensile range, not a sailing shackle.
What else Petersen makes
Besides the shackles above, Petersen forges tested lifting bow shackles and makes stainless fittings and components to customer specification, for architectural, petrochemical and aerospace use. Upffront stocks the D, long D, twist and bow shackles listed here. For a comparison with other makes, see our guide Best bow shackles 2025.
Petersen shackles FAQ
Where are Petersen shackles made?
Petersen Stainless Rigging, a stainless shackle and bar forging company founded in Bergen, Norway. Since 1978 it has made them at its factory in Blaydon-on-Tyne, north-east England.
Are Petersen shackles forged?
Yes. The head is formed by electrical upset forging, which keeps the grain of the bar continuous around the bow.
What is the difference between Petersen's 316L and high-tensile shackles?
316L is the corrosion-resistant sailing grade, rated by breaking load. 17-4PH is much stronger, and those shackles are proof-tested and rated by working load limit for lifting.
Which pin should I choose on a Petersen bow shackle?
A standard pin for general use, the shake-proof retained pin where vibration could loosen it, and the socket pin where a protruding head would snag.
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