My neighbor found this metal shuttle at the site of an old textle factory in Randolph County, North Carolina.  We know it is a Draper suttle probably dating after 1917 but he is interested (he's only 7) in learning more about this type of shuttle.  I am a wever and a historian but I have exhausted my research avenues to find more information.  This shuttle is metal which indicates it'

ss not early 19th century but probably 20th century which coincides with my reserach evidence.  However, there is a number on the shuttle and the fact it is metal is perplexing.  Most of my research turned ui\p wooden shuttles.  Any information would be greatly aprpeciated.  

Comments

Sun, 07/13/2014 - 23:15

sandra.eberhar…

Are you sure it's made of metal?  It looks like it had metal ends, which is common, and would be odd if the whole shuttle is metal.

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 00:47

MaryMartha

Here is an article that suggests Draper switched from dogwood to formica for its shuttles (thus, "Tru-mold") sometime in the first half of the 20th century.  No date is given for the changeover, but I'd guess post-war. A plaque marking the 1 millionth formica shuttle was issued in 1963. 

I agree all-metal seems very unlikely, even for an industrial flyshuttle.  But this seems more worn than the surviving formica shuttles.  The pinholes on the side are unusual too, and the fact it is numbered.  Could this somehow have been used to make the (hollow) compression molds that then made the formica shuttles?

Mary, who knows only enough about industrial processes to get herself in real trouble.

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 12:43

jander14indoor (not verified)

I have seen a few draper shuttles where the holes had what looked like heavy monofiliment loops on the inside of the shuttle.  These were angled towards the fiber exit and touched on the fiber package.  I'm not sure, but I suspect they were to control the release of some fiber types from the pirn.

I'd also be surprised at all metal, I suspect if you scrape away the dirt in a small area you'd find formica, not metal.  Except at the ends as already mentioned.  Doesn't one of those stamp marks say "Formic...."?

 

Regards,

Jeff Anderson

Livonia, MI

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 14:38

pammersw

I think you're right, I can just barely make out the first part of the word formica.

I have several old mill shuttles I bought years ago as decorative items. Two of them are on the wall now, so I took a look. One of them has two patches of loops of plastic monofilament angled back against the thread path. As I recall,  the third had rows of tiny holes like this one pictured above, with traces of whiskery monofilament ends remaining in the holes.

Mine are wood with metal ends, though. I can see them making formica (plastic) shuttles because the weight would be similar to wood but they would be faster or easier to make than from wood. All metal doesn't make sense because they would weigh a lot more, unless made of a really lightweight material. Would aluminum be light enough? I'm not sure.  Titanium would be lighter still but hundreds of times more expensive than plastic.  Aluminum would only be about ten times as expensive as plastic.

Based on the weight issues, economic factors,  and the partial word "formica" along with the words "Draper Tru-mold," I would agree with the plastic/formica with metal ends description. 

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 16:07

pammersw

Here are some other old shuttles like yours, and the patent for making them:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/95155177/vintage-weaving-shuttle-looms-formica

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Antique-Draper-Tru-Mold-Weaving-Boat-Shuttles-/131202000024?pt=Folk_Art&hash=item1e8c3fa498

http://www.google.com/patents/US3215762