Can anyone help me identify this loom?  I can't find any markings or name anywhere on it.

Also, the shafts are attached to the frame with springs but I can't tell exaclty what should be added to allow the shafts to be pulled down.

Any info is appreciated.

--Kammy

Comments

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 16:21

Joanne Hall

I have not seen a loom like this and I have seen a lot of looms in my 40 years of teaching.  I think it is home made.  And, when there are springs, they are usually on the bottom of the shafts, keeping them from rising, holding them down when some shafts are pulled up by a lever or handle.  Is there an evidence of a place for springs to be attached to the inside of the bottom of the frame?

Joanne 

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 17:15

Mkengel (not verified)

I don't see anything that would indicate that there is any way to attached the springs to the inside bottom of the frame.  As shown in this pic, there are a few holes drilled in to the bottom center of the frame.  Is there a chance that there might have once been a base that had treadles attached to pull down the shafts? Although, there aren't any holes in the shafts that it looks like I could tie to. 

Everything seems to move fairly smoothly.  My husband is pretty handy so I'm hoping that he can help me rig something up.

--Kammy

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 19:50

Sara von Tresckow

It is a SINKING shed loom that once had treadles. In this case, the treadles pull down against the springs. The springs return the shafts to position.

Over the years there have been looms made this way - just not the usual mainstream construction.

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 19:57

Joanne Hall

I agree, it probably had a loom stand, maybe with lamms, but certainly treadles.  The loom frame is also very  heavy, so it was not made to be a table loom.  I don't see anything on the bottom of the shaft to attach lamm or treadle cords.

Joanne

Mon, 04/01/2013 - 00:55

Mkengel (not verified)

Thanks to everyone for their help. My husband's background is in mechanical engineering so as soon as I demonstrated what parts on the loom needed to move and how, he was working through ideas for hw to make it work. It was helpful to know that it was a homemade loom and that we woud need to be creative to make it work. Kammy