Please share pictures of your Bergman loom, and include the model number if you can. It will be nice to amass a bunch of information in one place for everyone to source.

Comments

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 20:17

sarahnopp

This is a great little countermarche loom I recently received. It is all original, even the string heddles and a string heddle maker template! It just needed a bit of wipe down and orange oil and this charmer is in delightful condition. I love that such a small loom is a countermarch and that it is so sturdy. But the size makes it easy to move around and get to all the places. These are such well crafted machines. I look forward to many years working on it. I am the third owner, and the work you see is something the first owner and second worked on togehter to see how the machine worked. When I took the newspaper off to clean it, I discovered news articles and ads from the 1980s LOL

 

Dimensions: approx 30x30 with 26 inch reed, and 45 inches tall with castle storage.

 

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 20:09

lanark (not verified)

I think it's a great idea to have Bergman group! I have a Bergman (in fact, two) and I've been trying for years to find out if anyone knows what the model numbers signify. Ideas?

How big is your loom? One of mine is 45" weaving wideth, the other a baby 24" (doesn't fold).

 

And where is everyone located? I used to live on the west coast, where Bergman's are (relatively) known -- but now that I'm in Ontario, no one has ever heard of them. I've noticed that lots of other things are different here -- including prices for used equipment!

 

And finally: I'd love a clear explanation of how to warp a Bergman back to front -- and also where one could put a raddle. (I'm a newbie weaver, you can probably tell.)

 

 

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 20:35

sarahnopp (not verified)

I must admit that your post the other day is the inspiration for this lanark. :)

Mine is about 30 wide by 30 deep, a couple inches wider at the beater bar supports, which lift off. It is 45 high with a storage cubby in the castle area. 

On the front of mine, you can see the breast beam, where the warp, via the reed, goes around down to the cloth beam. The breast beam is removable.

There is a back beam too. It is below the warp beam, which you can see just below the castle storage. The warp beam unloads around the back beam, through the heddles and reed, to the front beam and down to the cloth beam. The back beam is also removable.

For where to stick a raddle... hmmm. I suppose if I was to use one, I would just tape it to the bottom side or back side of the back beam. Or use velcro strips, as I have long velcro strips which I use for everything. :)

I have not had any trouble with back to front warping. What kind of problems or issues have you had? Because the front beam pops out, I can get in very close to the harnesses. Are you concerned about where the warp ends will hang while you are threading the heddles? A lease stick works, resting on the horizontal supports just behind the harnesses. In fact, if I was using super thin yarn, I might just tape a dowel or lease stick to the harness side of the upright support so they are super close to the harnesses. I wonder now if there is something like that already built on mine. Must go check! Thanks for making me think.

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 23:07

spsguy (not verified)

My Bergman is 45 inch 8-harness model.  It's the first loom I've owned and I am in love with it.  I can't help with the model numbers as I've yet to find anything.  Hope to find some one with an original reciept to maybe match the number to a date. 

As for a raddle I don't use one often.  If you read the warping instructions that came with the loom, it appears to have been designed to use the reed as your raddle.  I have made a raddle though and when I use it I have attached it to the breast beam and it seemed to work okay.  Another alternative would be to remove the reed from the beater and place it there.

Again according to the insturctions once you've transfered your cross behind the reed then you would hang  your lease sticks behind the harness.  There are two hooks on mine that are attached to the bottom side of the castle.  You can hang your lease sticks from there.  Then beam your ward and your warp threads are hangining just behind the harnesses.   Seems to work ok.

SPinningLizzy talks about warping her Bergman. http://spinninglizzy.wordpress.com/tag/bergman-loom/

Seems I have found in the past a copy, on the net, of "Getting aquainted with your Bergman Loom". Not finding it now.  Anyway hope this helps a little. 

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 01:33

lanark (not verified)

My Bergman is also a 45-inch 8-harness loom, and I bought it from the grand-daughter of the original owner, who reportedly was a friend of Mrs. Bergman. I believe it was bought in 1936 or thereabouts.

 

I have the original instructions, and as someone who has terrible spatial-relations scores, I have to say they sounded nightmarish. Actually, I moved fairly recently and haven't worked on my loom since then. I have to think back to remember the back-to-front problems we had, but it had something to do with the warp beam being higher than usual???

 

If anyone would like to come and show me the warping procedure.....

 

Susan

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 01:34

lanark (not verified)

My Bergman is also a 45-inch 8-harness loom, and I bought it from the grand-daughter of the original owner, who reportedly was a friend of Mrs. Bergman. I believe it was bought in 1936 or thereabouts.

 

I have the original instructions, and as someone who has terrible spatial-relations scores, I have to say they sounded nightmarish. Actually, I moved fairly recently and haven't worked on my loom since then. I have to think back to remember the back-to-front problems we had, but it had something to do with the warp beam being higher than usual???

 

If anyone would like to come and show me the warping procedure.....

 

Susan

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 01:07

Deanemom (not verified)

I also have a Bergman loom, which I love! I don't have a manual for it though. If anyone has the manual and would be willing to post it to this site, I would be eternally grateful. Thanks for any information. Lisa

Thu, 04/19/2012 - 20:49

flamewerks (not verified)

I am new to weaving and just got this loom. I was told it is a Bergman loom and it looks and measures exactly like one. However, I cannot find a serial number on it and the front does not fold in. The back does fold in. It looks as though at one time it was a 4 harness that was then updated to an 8 harness. In the paperwork that was stuffed in the compartment on the castle, there is a very old xerox copy of an article about countermarch looms in general plus a sheet entitled, "About Bergman Looms" stapled together. So, I wonder if this is a homebuilt version. Opinions? This is what she looked like when I got her home. The beams are in the wrong place and she's covered with dust. This is what she looks like after I oiled her down and got the treadles looped. You can see that I have placed two red circles on the image. I see in the first picture in this thread posted by sarahnopp, that there are handles attached to the warp beam gear mechanism and to the cloth beam mechanism. My loom doesn't have anything attached there, although there is evidence that something was there at one time. Would someone be willing to take a picture of those areas on their loom and share them so I can see what needs to be there? Thank you in advance for any advice you might have.
Thu, 04/19/2012 - 23:24

sarahnopp (not verified)

It certainly looks like a Bergman. Why do you say the beams were in the wrong place? They look ok to me. The warp beam is high on my Bergman. Also, my Bergman doesn't fold either, but it looks like a smaller version of the one you have there.

About the missing numbers- according to historian Theresa Trebon's interview with the builder, he stopped using the numbers for a while off and on!

I would love to see the back of this a bit more closely too. Margaret Bergman copyrighted a decent number of plans, so this is probably another version she developed.

Fri, 02/25/2022 - 20:47

Mike54

I was reading your post mentioning "Theresa Trebon's interview with the builder," I would love to read this article. Is it possible for you to send me a copy or weblink that would let me access it. Thank you. 

Fri, 04/20/2012 - 02:26

flamewerks (not verified)

I was unaware that there were looms made without the serial number on them, so now I am more confident that this is a Bergman.

When I said that the beams were in the wrong location, I meant that the cloth beam was up in the spot for the warp beam and vice versa. I just took a picture of the way she arrived.

Here is a picture of the warp beam mechanism. As you can see, all that is there is the metal piece that stops the gear. If you could take a picture of that area on your loom and the same area on the cloth beam, so I can see what it should be, I would be grateful.

Photobucket

Here is a picture of the back.

Photobucket

And here is the side view. I got the upper and lower lamms set to where they are supposed to be and so I'm ready to do the tie-ups.

full_side_view_sm

Fri, 04/20/2012 - 03:26

sarahnopp

How interesting... So are you not able to warp it up without the back folded out and that warp tension bar thing in place? Or is there a place for it when it is not extended? Yours looks very much like mine, but it has that back part.

Here are the braking controls on mine, with the all metal belonging to the cloth beam and the warp beam break has a longer wooden handle, so I can reach it easily while seated.

  

As far as the histories of these looms, I was very fortunate to hear a lecture by Theresa Trebon recently. Hopefully she will be able to complete her book in a few years so the story can be more widely preserved.

Fri, 04/20/2012 - 16:05

flamewerks (not verified)

The back beam comes off and has a resting spot on the back side of the compartment on the castle. So, I could take it off and place it up top then fold the back in.

I see that the gear on your warp beam has very few teeth where the gear on mine has small spaces between the teeth. I wonder if that would be an indicator for when they were made.

Again, thank you for the pictures. If you have larger pictures available so that I can see more detail, that would be great, too.

I would love to hear more from Theresa Trebon. Is she here in the PNW? I am up north of Gig Harbor. Does she give lectures frequently?

Mon, 04/30/2012 - 18:45

sarahnopp

Oops, I went off to The Weavers School and missed this response. I will see if I can blow up those photos a bit. OUt of the 8 of us at the classes last week, three of us had Bergmans! One of them even had one that sounds like yours. I hope she decides to join and pos some information.

The lecture I heard was at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle. Theresa Trebon lives near Seattle, but up north a bit. It was a lecture that she traveled with a few years ago, but dusted off to share during the museum's exhibit of Seattle Weavers Guild peices, including pieces by Margaret Bergman, who founded that guild. I hope she decides to offer the lecture a bit more, but I doubt she will. She is writing a book, bot that will probably not be out for a few years, sadly enough.

In answer to your question about the brakes: Yes, the Warp beam pawl has few teeth to advance, while the cloth beam pawl has quite a few close together for more subtle tensioning. 

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 00:55

markt

here is a link to my bergman loom.  please feel free to look around as i have several of them. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34657716@N02/6987784076/in/photostream

its got a 28inch reed on it.  when i got it it was a bit of a mess.  most of the string heddles were gone so I got some texsolv 9 inchs ones.  I also had to redo the counter balance mechinism make the tower taller for it to work better.  It folds up to travel better. 

Now if I could just get my other one finished building.  I want a little bigger on.  not sure if I want it to be a counter march or counter balance one.  but I just ordered the big book of weaving so maybe it will clear up a few things. 

what does the counter march loom do over the counter balance.  I'm wanting an 8 harness loom. 

by the way I'm new here and this is my first time posting.  It looks like a lot of good info on here.  thanks mark

Its got a loom number B283 on it

and above that is a 7 digit number so not sure if this is the model number or dont.  It is on top of the castle board. 

 

 

 

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 02:05

sarahnopp (not verified)

Counterbalance means when shaft #1 goes up, #2 must also go down. Countermarche looms offer a variety of treadling. All shafts go either up or down, to make a wider shed, but 1-2-3 can all go up and 4 can go down. The newer type of loom is called Jack, and that is what is most popular with weavers today. It is versatile in treadling, like the countermarche, but only those shafts you want to go up have to, everything else stays in neutral position.

That is an interesting Bergman. I wonder if it is one of those marketed as a suitcase loom.

 

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 21:48

flamewerks (not verified)

The larger pictures are great and totally do not look like what I have going on with my loom. LOL. Are the mechanisms a way to date the loom? I am happily weaving away on my Bergman. It's been a great learning experience. Again, thanks for the close ups.
Fri, 05/04/2012 - 13:59

flamewerks (not verified)

Here are pictures of my first project on my Bergman.

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 20:17

adelehvy (not verified)

Just came into possession of a Bergman 3G25 loom. It is a small 4shaft counterbalance loom which was probably made in the 30's (?)  I will post pictures when I reassemble it.  Sounds like it was made quite a while ago: the phone # on the label reads R-623.

 

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 23:07

sally orgren

has a Bergman loom. Maybe they have a manual? At the very least, they know how to warp it, as it was operational when I visited. (That was my first time seeing a Bergman Loom).

Also, have you tried Janet Meany in Duluth, MN? She has website for old looms and a repository of old loom manuals. I didn't see Bergman listed under her loom manual library, but it might be worth sending her an e-mail and see if she knows of any other Bergman owners?

Flamewerks, the fabric you are weaving is lovely, and it looks *great* on your Bergman loom!

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 23:34

sarahnopp (not verified)

Flamewerks- Your picture looks lovely! I should really post a couple too LOL

Adelehvy- There is a set of instructions for the Bergman Looms in another post for our Group here. One of our lovely members posted it for us all to access! And unfortunately, Janet Meaney does not have any Bergman information. If anyone else does, please add it to that Group post, so we can have a nice resource avaialable for all.

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 23:34

sarahnopp (not verified)

Flamewerks- Your picture looks lovely! I should really post a couple too LOL

Adelehvy- There is a set of instructions for the Bergman Looms in another post for our Group here. One of our lovely members posted it for us all to access! And unfortunately, Janet Meaney does not have any Bergman information. If anyone else does, please add it to that Group post, so we can have a nice resource available for all.

Sun, 06/03/2012 - 00:41

sarahnopp

I figured that as the one who started up this thread I should post a more updated photo of my loom, in action. I am working on some overshot for a school project. The new orange section I just started will likely become a gift for one of my husband's clients who has become such a wonderful presence in our lives.

And of course, nobody hates puppy pictures. That is my pug boy Zaboo in the backgroud there. My loom is set to look out over the neighbors goats and into the hawthorne tree and take advantage of the lovely light and fresh air from the sliding doors in our upstairs bedroom.

This is the same loom pictured at the very top of this thread, but in much homier conditions and being loved and used! It is a Bergman countermarch, 4 shaft, 6 treadle. I updated the wires and cords and what not to texsolv, but have left the string heddles.

And here is a bit of a close up of the overshot, farther along than in the first photo. 

Sun, 06/03/2012 - 05:04

flamewerks (not verified)

Both your weaving and your pup! I'm wanting to do overshot so much but am not sure I'm ready for it. Maybe once I get this test warp finished... I'd love to have a pug - I'd name her Petunia. Our 17 year old bearded collie passed away a year ago and we're not quite ready for a new dog.
Wed, 06/13/2012 - 19:44

mageez (not verified)

Glad I found this group. I rescued a very old Bergman loom and am searching for information on it. the front says Oct, 5, 35. Then the numbers 2057997 and then #A-258. and Paulsbo, Wa. it's been in storage over 40 years.

It's 36 wide (i think) 8 harness, counter march. Folds up for storage and weighs a ton! We had no way to get it into my studio so it's currently in my husbands work shop.

The tie up cords, heddles and reed need replacing but the wood under all the grime is straight and solid. the plan is to find a weaver needing a great loom and passing it on.  

any information on Bergman history would be greatly appreciated. or if anyone would be interested in owning it.

Wed, 06/13/2012 - 23:39

sarahnopp (not verified)

I hope you are finding some of the information we have collected here to be useful. I have found this website http://spinninglizzy.wordpress.com/tag/bergman-loom/ to have a LOT of information too.

Are you in the Pacific Northwest? If so, I reacommend you visit the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, in the middle of Ballard. They have a nice collection around Bergman and her work, including a display of one of her looms.

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 02:29

mageez (not verified)

Hi Sara

yes and yes, have already found spinninglizzy and am in the pacific NW.  about 5 miles from the canadian border. 

i've only cleaned up 1 harness bar and the wood underneath just glowed. this poor Bergman was destined for the burn pile and am so greatful that they contacted me.  and thanks to the internet i've already already found a home for it

When she picks it up i'll tell her about the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle. Maybe I'll even be able to go with her. I use Glimakra looms so figure i'll be helping to get her started on the counter marche tie ups.

thanks again

maggie

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 22:23

flamewerks (not verified)

I'm over on the Olympic Peninsula, so will plan a trip to the Nordic Heritage Museum. I am very interested in learning more about Ms. Bergman.

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 04:00

sarahnopp (not verified)

They did not have a lot of Bergman information in their static display, so I recommend calling ahead so you can maybe see more of their collection. I just happened to see some during a show by the Seattle Guild and at a lecture by Teresa Trebon.

Wed, 09/26/2012 - 00:30

Gwennie

I have a Bergman A420R(B?).  There is a patent number also.  Has anyone been able to track down the patent information? It should be possible to date all the styles from that.  I've tried the US Patent website but haven't had any luck (not much of a techie, I afraid).  I'm just so glad to have found some more Bergman owners.  When I get some help with camera, I'll post pics.  I got my Bergman for free from a woman here in Texas who'd had it since her college days.  Mine is most similar to yours Sarahnopp.  Mine is a four harness/six treadle counterbalance.  It's 42" wide with 36" weaving width.  Back to front it's 40" but with the back folded in it's only 28." I've noticed in your pics the boxed in area above the harness hangers.  Mine has a rod rolling inside two small pegs resting on the forward "arms" but completely open.  I still have the old string heddles in place and they are stiff and grimy and a pain to thread.  I'm going to replace them with Texsolv but will save them for mementos.  I even have the old cloth apron still in place.  It is mattress ticking fabric!  Very quaint.  I've done a couple of projects on this loom and it has a great "beat."  Have you ever had someone look at the treadles and say they were upside down?  It happens to me all the time with my guild members.  I'm glad to see all the pictures and see that I have assembled mine correctly! I like to remove the back bar and warp beam and  and sit on a chair right up next to the heddles to warp front to back.  I've just recently begun warping back to front on another loom and I don't see any reason you couldn't do so on the Bergman.  Mine also has some cool "extras" like built in boxes just inside the "walls" that are handy for tools and extra shuttles.  My storage compartment on top of the castle has a lid that once had a pull string to open it with.  Does anyone have a counterbalance with pulleys?  Mine has cords that just wrap around the rod.  Works ok but I don't think they were like that originally.  Last thing.....I have a reed that doesn't fit very well.  What make reed is best for this beater?  Any suggestions?  I'll get some pics up as soon as I find a person who can do that. 

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 03:43

Amelia Garripoli (not verified)

I just got a second one, love my first, model 5A301, lovely birds eye maple 24" folding 4h countermarche with the original bench. Then one popped up "nearby" (okay, 100 miles and a ferry ride) and I fell for it. It's older than mine, which I was told was probably made in 1966. This "newer" one is an older model, same style. It's interesting to see what changed in the construction for simplicity and to improve the loom. This one has a paper tag glued on the underside of the castle dating it to 1936 and is model 5A3000. Today I gave it a thorough cleaning and wood wax, and found little things to fix ... A missing dowel on the cloth beam, a missing nut on the warp brake. I will need to redo the tie-ups, some look to be missing compared to my first Bergman. It was stained a walnut color, but underneath is amazing figured maple. There doesn't seem to be a way to put a photo in this note, or I would put one up of the second Bergman all shined up.
Thu, 10/15/2015 - 14:45

crystalvorous

hi I have a Bergman loom 48 inches

It is from poulsbo WN pat # 2057997

Beautiful,  antique loom 48" Bergman weaving loom  fiber arts with accessories, some literature.

 

also huge box of books that goes with it 

 

 

 a warping board ,warping and sectional warp beam.all for 1,000 

Location is Clarkston Washington

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 09:10

jwms

Great site and forum. I picked up a Bergman a few years ago and have been learning all I can before I try to do something with it. My first project will be doing some tartan for a kilt. I know it sound ambitious but I will take my time. This is just a note to say hello. I have a copy of the setup instructions that came with the loom dated 9-25-69, "Getting Acquinted With Your Bergman Loom". This covers making adjustments to the tie-ups and how to warp the loom.  I read through it a few times when I bought the loom, but missed some important details as I had only used a rigid heddle table loom in the past. The last 18 mopnths or so learning about floor looms like mine has been an adventure. I am building a flying shuttle for it now that I have 6 shuttles. Looking forward to asking questions of y'all when I need some help and hope to be a help to anybody as well. Will get some picts taken in the next few days and get them posted here. It is rughly 60x40x50, all original cordage and string heddles and 4 reeds. Folds up to 60x18x50. I am the second owner. Built a wraping frame, raddle and a pile of sticks for it so far. Bought it about 18 months ago for almost USD 900.00. The orignal owner made rugs on it. Have a great day. Jim

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 17:34

Joanne Hall

Hi Jim,

We have some instructions on our website which will be helpful. 

http://glimakrausa.com/learning-looms-weaving/

Click on Basic loom info.  Start with the first file.  The second file is counterbalance and the third file is countermarch.

Joanne

Thu, 10/15/2015 - 14:49

crystalvorous

Beautiful,  antique loom 48" Bergman weaving loom  fiber arts with accessories, some literature.

 

also huge box of books that goes with it 

included with the loom are 

10 treadles

 

 a warping board ,warping and sectional warp beam.all for 1,000 

Location is Clarkston Washington

 

 

 

 

 

included with the loom are 

 

 a warping board ,warping and sectional warp beam.all for 1.000

Thu, 10/15/2015 - 14:50

crystalvorous

Beautiful,  antique loom 48" Bergman weaving loom  fiber arts with accessories, some literature.

 

also huge box of books that goes with it 

included with the loom are 

10 treadles

 

 a warping board ,warping and sectional warp beam.all for 1,000 

Location is Clarkston Washington

 

 

 

 

 

included with the loom are 

 

 a warping board ,warping and sectional warp beam.all for 1.000

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 18:44

Jo Raymond

This is my 4 harness, 6 treadle, counterbalance Bergman loom. The Model Number is G 132. 

It was given to me a few years ago. I did not know it was a Bergman until I set it up and saw "Bergman Looms, Poulsbo, WN (an older abbreviation for Washington), Model G 132" stamped into the wood.

I need to clean it before I set it up completely. Any advice on what products to use?

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 18:49

Jo Raymond

This is my 4 harness, 6 treadle, counterbalance Bergman loom. The Model Number is G 132. 

It was given to me a few years ago. I did not know it was a Bergman until I set it up and saw "Bergman Looms, Poulsbo, WN (an older abbreviation for Washington), Model G 132" stamped into the wood.

I need to clean it before I set it up completely. Any advice on what products to use?

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 19:16

sarahnopp (not verified)

When I cleaned mine up, I just used some Murphy's woodsoap & oil. Mostly mine just needed to be dusted. If you decide to clean the tieiups on the counterbalance, use cold water :)

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 20:04

Jo Raymond

Thanks, Sarah. For this one, cleaning is an understatement. I vacuumed it and am now wiping it down with a slightly damp rag, water and a little vinegar. It is grimy. I can see now that I will need to take it apart and sand a few areas. Then I am thinking I will use Howard's restorer and wax. It will be a while until I am weaving on this loom. 

Fri, 11/27/2015 - 18:14

Marnese

A spinning friend just gave me a gift and I wanted to share. I'm new weaver- just took classes this summer on a Rasmussen table loom. I'm hoping someone can help me identify type of loom (she's a Bergman), I've found a few pictures online but none that match exactly or show how she should be rigged up. Here's her debut: (sorry about the photo bombing MJ is a photo hog)

Thu, 11/26/2015 - 23:28

Marnese

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pnq43b2vf8elpiq/Photo%20Nov%2014%2C%201%2013%2029%20PM.jpg?dl=0 Link to photo

Thu, 11/26/2015 - 23:36

Marnese

More photos https://www.dropbox.com/sc/6cmleyb8wdhia2p/AAA284HS6d22k4zAYHY1Jnu-a

Sat, 11/28/2015 - 18:19

Kim Lovewell

Congratulations on your new loom.  I have several Bergman countermarche looms (12s, 8s and three 4s).  I think my 12s is from the same era as yours, the wood is a little darker and redder than my others and it's the only one with the peg at the top.  I haven't seen many of the counterbalance looms.  I believe the raddles that were made with the looms go into the beater bar replacing the reed and if you don't already know, your lease sticks can be hung from the cup hooks under the castle.  Enjoy!

 

Sat, 12/19/2015 - 02:52

Pam Baker Howard

I am the Resident Weaver at the John C. Campbell Folk School.  I am always getting looms that folks donate to the weaving studio.  Some are in great condition and some are not.  This cute little loom came to us with a great story that ties in with the Folk School.  What is different from the other Berman looms I have seen it is has springs attatched to the harnesses.  Has anyone see a loom like this one.  The number stamped intothe loom is 0226.  I would post photos, but can't figure out how to do that on this site.  

Sat, 12/19/2015 - 15:29

Joanne Hall

The Bergmans made a table loom, which became the Rasmussen loom, then  Dundas, then the Montana Loom.  It had springs on the bottoms of the shaft bars.

Joanne

Mon, 01/25/2016 - 07:07

Tuesday

My recently purchased Bergman loom, Model No M 8ALB451, patent no US 2057997 in Clarkston, Washington.  The model number is located on the left hand side of the castle and the model number on the right hand side.

45" reed, 10 treadle, 8 harness, countermarche

Am thinking that the M is for 'Maple?' 8 for 8 harness?  

According to the Bergman looms 1967 price list provided by Weavolution's weaver33, the 45 in the model number is intuitively 45" reed and the 'B' is for box in the wings.

The 8 for 8-harness?  The only thing is that the 4-Harness/6-Treadle looms are referred to as a '5s.'  

ALs seem to be folding floor looms with a 1 appearing after the AL, Cs are non-folding with no number after the C and Ls are table looms with L for lever operated and Ss after the reed length.

Originally purchased in 1952 by Ava Lou Vorous.  The loom had remained in the same house in Clarkston, Washington, since it was originally purchased, until my purchase of it.

John Bergman, Margaret Bergman's husband, died in 1948, so this loom would have been hand-crafted by their son, Arthur Bergman in Poulsbo (actually the Bergmans lived in Big Valley a small town north of Poulsbo) Washington.  

Until 1972, part of the Bergman's barn was converted by Margaret Bergman for storage and display of yarn and was named, Yarn Barn.  The Yarn Barn is now owned by Lynn and Sam Ward, operating the gourmet food restaurant at that location, Molly Ward Gardens, 27462 Big Valley Road Northeast, Poulsbo.

Included in my purchase are a warping board, warping mill, and sectional warp beam (photo included below.)

It also included a box of books, including A Handweaver's Pattern Book, by Marguerie Porter Davison, copyright reprint April 1951; The Terraspool Method of Warping For Handweavers and Speed Warping For Handweavers, both by Dorothy and Curtis Payton, copyright 1950 and 1953, respectively, as well as numerous copies of the magazine, Handweaver and Craftsmen dated 1950-1957;  as well as the previous owner's resource materials in shopping for her equipment.

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Sun, 01/24/2016 - 17:29

Marnese

Thanks! Still working on piecing it all together.

Sun, 01/24/2016 - 17:29

Marnese

Thanks! Still working on piecing it all together.

Group Audience
Bergman Looms