Vintage Iron Thread

[61PWCC]

From the July, 1952 "Your Physique"



"Keeping the Records Straight" by David P. Willoughby

"Several of the bars were made in a machine shop in Los Angeles afternoon Steinborn arrived there, in 1925, and we learned to lift on one of them that was purchased by the Los Angeles Athletic Club for it's "weight room." The Berg bar, the design of which is now the international standard for all official weight-lifting competitions, measures in total length 210 cm/82.68 in. The portion of the bar in the middle, for grasping, is 120 cm/47.24 in long and 28 mm/1.1 in in diameter. The unloaded bar weighs about 20 kilos or 44 lb."

Within a couple of years, the first Weightlifting Senior Nationals were hosted by Willoughby and his LAAC. Walter Marcyan was a lifter at this club. This early BERG/Steinborn influence may explain why the MARCY split sleeve bars seem to be built quite well. Interesting that JACKSON, YORK and MARCY bars were influenced not just by ANY BERG bar but, specifically the one owned by Steinborn.

Wonder how many of these BERG copies still exist....

[Northernmoris]

From the July, 1952 "Your Physique"



"Keeping the Records Straight" by David P. Willoughby

"Several of the bars were made in a machine shop in Los Angeles afternoon Steinborn arrived there, in 1925, and we learned to lift on one of them that was purchased by the Los Angeles Athletic Club for it's "weight room." The Berg bar, the design of which is now the international standard for all official weight-lifting competitions, measures in total length 210 cm/82.68 in. The portion of the bar in the middle, for grasping, is 120 cm/47.24 in long and 28 mm/1.1 in in diameter. The unloaded bar weighs about 20 kilos or 44 lb."

Within a couple of years, the first Weightlifting Senior Nationals were hosted by Willoughby and his LAAC. Walter Marcyan was a lifter at this club. This early BERG/Steinborn influence may explain why the MARCY split sleeve bars seem to be built quite well. Interesting that JACKSON, YORK and MARCY bars were influenced not just by ANY BERG bar but, specifically the one owned by Steinborn.

Wonder how many of these BERG copies still exist....

There was a time when I had a bunch of those issues. Good to see some "real" vintage content added.

[61PWCC]

There was a time when I had a bunch of those issues. Good to see some "real" vintage content added.

Thanks man.

So, I ASSUME the original BERG bar had BERG stamped on it? If so, then the copies would look exactly like the BERG bar but, with no name. I know this sounds obvious but, I'm not familiar with early BERG bars at all.

[AttyGuy]

There was a time when I had a bunch of those issues.

Y.O.L.O. You only looked once...

[vintageironlife]

Latest score! Sent here per Attyguy’s recommendation! Any info on these would be greatly appreciated!!

‭imgur.com/gallery/ZC4PZiC

[RestoringTally]

Latest score! Sent here per Attyguy’s recommendation! Any info on these would be greatly appreciated!!

‭imgur.com/gallery/ZC4PZiC

Embedded link for those who want to see without clicking.

[ffrink]

Embedded link for those who want to see without clicking.

I'll only look once.


NICE!

[BulkMore]

Latest score! Sent here per Attyguy’s recommendation! Any info on these would be greatly appreciated!!

‭imgur.com/gallery/ZC4PZiC

They're round on each side...and the total weight per dumbbell is 110lbs.

[AttyGuy]

They're round on each side...and the total weight per dumbbell is 110lbs.

Bulkmore, post less.

[Sboarder1964]

They're round on each side...

Wait, how many sides do spheres have again?

[CFF]

Does anyone have info on World Class Olympic weights. They look exactly like a Ivanko plate.

[matrix563]

Bulkmore, post less.

lift more, lawyer less

[AttyGuy]

Transporter's gotta be transportin'...

[foulout]

Picked up a couple Jackson 50s that are in good condition along with some vintage York equipment (see York Barbell II thread) a couple weeks ago. Thanks to AttyGuy for the knowledge sharing.

[AttyGuy]

Sweet find, brother.

[Northernmoris]

Transporter's gotta be transportin'...

Worthless cause

[AttyGuy]

Hopeless cause.

[matrix563]

0.25 0.75 2.5 5 10 15 20 25 35 45 55 65 75.

45 65 75 not paired

might get 7.5s and 12s one day

also plan on 85 95 and 100 125 150 and 172.5 lb inch dumbbells eventually.

[C123C]

0.25 0.75 2.5 5 10 15 20 25 35 45 55 65 75.

45 65 75 not paired

might get 7.5s and 12s one day

also plan on 85 95 and 100 125 150 and 172.5 lb inch dumbbells eventually.

Gorgeous. Great set up.

[matrix563]

Gorgeous. Great set up.

thx. on spread.

[MUTASAN]

MATRIX, message me.

[DarthCholo]

I found a single pair of we'll used 45s of this American Olympian Barbell (made in USA) Thought I would never find another pair then BAM. Craiglist score!

An entire set 45s 35s 25s 10s 5s 2.5s.

NEVER USED.. still paint on inside of bored out hole base in how smooth the iron is on the inside.

After flipping the other stuff he made me take this will cost me about 100 dollars. Would of been closer to 50 if while driving for pickup somebody somebody didn't call seller and ante up $50 more to try to outbid me.

Any idea what year this was made? Somebody else posted a picture in this thread here in this thread post #1434 on page 48. (I can't post pics yet #newb)

The only difference is that the letters were not white. Original paint is ALL black. I thought maybe on my well used pair that the paint had rubbed off.

Anybody know roughly when these were made? The discussion speculates AB&I Oakland CA factory, but those World Class plates are very different design.

[matrix563]

https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showt...post1251407801

no clue on the history but i hope to find a single 45 omd day.

[DarthCholo]

Do any of you know much about the history of the "American Olympian" plates I bought?...I can't seem to find a shred of info on them
as far as when they were made etc...all I can say is that they are among the best looking plates I've seen-very well machined/casted etc.
Love that they are USA made.

Just scored a full matching set brand new. I concur with this man. The casting is absolutely best I've seen. I do not believe they milled anything but the hole in the middle. I have some non machined Ivankos and their casting is nowhere near as good as these. See these these pics of the 25lb plate. The outer edge is completely flat. And the back is completely flat as well. Maybe they are machined considering how perfect it is??. The fact that the plate design has many 90 degree angles might accentuate this look more.

Also the paint on these ages very gracefully. No chipping at all.

[vhd16]

Was looking for something else and found these and bunch of other York stuff.

Loving these . Fits on the 50's bar very well unlike Billard Olympic plates.

Believe, I am the second owner. The previous one did took care of his iron. He did paint all the letters and numbers on all his plates with white paint. The black paint has a slight texture to it and gives you little grip.

All I had to do was wipe the dust of and oil them with a rag.

[irongrandpa]

Awesome find! Repped.

[61PWCC]

Was looking for something else and found these and bunch of other York stuff.

Loving these . Fits on the 50's bar very well unlike Billard Olympic plates.

Believe, I am the second owner. The previous one did took care of his iron. He did paint all the letters and numbers on all his plates with white paint. The black paint has a slight texture to it and gives you little grip.

All I had to do was wipe the dust of and oil them with a rag.

I'm on spread but, they are GORGEOUS!!

[AttyGuy]

MATRIX, message me.

MUTASSIN, trolling the waters silently for years until he finds something of interest...

[Duplicitous]

I've seen some resellers claiming these are quite rare, but I can't find any reliable info on them either way. Stamped "Made in Canada." Anyone know when these might have been made?



This one came in the same lot. I'm going to keep it just because I haven't seen one before. Wallingford Barbell Inc. operated from 1975-98. Not sure when they made these plates exactly.

So my original picture of the plate didn't upload....here it is. I have also included pictures of my Hofmann 45's. I believe that these were made in Reading, PA sometime in the 80's. Hofmann stopped manufacturing in Reading in 1987 or 88, I believe.

I have 2 plates just like this with the same markings (a 10 and a 5 that again, came in the same lot as the above), which I see have been confirmed as Hofmann Industries plates.

[IronJim835]

Hello
I recently found a 10 lb H-ERO plate at a play it again sports store. I haven't been able to find any info on them. Are they rare? Any information is appreciated. Thanks!