At Right: Wide view of front-right side of loom. The loom's counterbalanced shedding system consists of a single roller and two shafts with treadles.   At Left: Detailed view of rocker. The rockers are kept in place on the base of the loom with thin strips of wood, approximately 1 inch wide by 18 inches long, they attach to the rear of each rocker at the back end, and to the base of the loom at the front. These wooden strips not only keep the rockers in place, but provide a spring-like motion that automatically returns the beater to the original position so the next shot of weft can be inserted.

This loom resembled a load of firewood when it was donated to the museum by a visitor from the Chicago area. The woman stated she had purchased the loom for $100, somewhere in Indiana not far from Chicago. No background information was available on the loom. Link to museum website: http://www.lincolnsnewsalem.com Return to Loom Photograph Index