A long while back a (caving) friend of mine and I owned a rare Russian/Soviet made hand ascenders that were an exact copy of the (old style) petzl handled ascenders only that it was made from (what else?) Russian Titanium. The plastic handle on it had on it stamped U.S.S.R. thus making it a real collectors piece since the U.S.S.R. doesn't exist anymore.
Was told back then when I had it that how the manufacturers got ahold of the titanium was from cut pieces strewn around the Soviet Submarine yards as they put together those vessels. They got ahold of the pieces from working in the yard(s) or from friends who worked in the yards... and re-worked them and made them into the handled ascender that I had.
The Soviets (then) didn't have access to alum and even rarer good steel thus titanium was easier to come by (for them anyway). So basically any Russian Titanium caving piece is (or should be) the same stuff that is made for Soviet subs. You know the ones, they broke world depth records.
Unfortunately someone else thought they needed my collector's piece more than I did and took it without my knowledge and for damn sure without my permission. So as far as I know my friend still has his piece and is woefully reluctant to part with it though he doesn't cave anymore... (back injury).
I've a darn good idea who took it but that scallywag s.o.b. disappeared... good for him, because I owe him 1 hard buttkick.
If you run into a guy showing off a light green colored hand ascender made in the U.S.S.R. let me know.