Vintage Barbells & Oldetime Strongmen!

Shots from the Milo Barbell Company ...

2011-10-06T11:56:00.000-05:00

Some classic globe barbells from Milo.

Richard “Army” Maguire - Some of His Grippers

2010-11-05T06:18:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo of a few unique heavy / hard grippers. One on the left is a standard #3 captain of crush the next two are custom made thinner handle
grippers made by Tetting.The idea of using the thinner handle is so you work harder to get a complete handles touching close. Next to the end is a
revolving handles custom gripper. This is a gripper with handles mounted on bearings and is difficult to hold tightly let alone close. Last is also a Tetting original E which is much harder to close than the # 3 by IronMind. This long 8 " handle is secured in a wooden post and used by doing negatives .You close if by using your body weight.

Army

Hermann Goerner

2010-10-16T06:47:00.001-05:00

Hermann Goerner

Pressing a 330 pound barbell overhead. While certainly an impressive load, it is even more impressive considering that the barbell is 2 and 3/8” thick.

Travis Barbell & Dumbbell

2009-12-12T10:47:00.001-05:00

Some nice Bells, formerly owned by Warren Lincoln Travis, are up on eBay for 5K.

Carl's Vintage Iron

2009-06-27T10:04:00.002-05:00

I stopped by my dear friend Carl's house on the way to the AOBS 2009, check this stuff out, Carl has some very nice weights, that he got from Andy Jackson himself !

Apollo - The Scottish Hercules

2009-01-19T09:12:00.004-05:00

William Bankier

Apollo - The Scottish Hercules

1870 - 1949

Raw-Power Redesigned...

2008-10-29T16:15:00.004-05:00

Raw-Power.com has been redesigned. It includes "Muscle Museum Forum Newsletter", "Vintage-Barbell.com", "Collectors Forum", etc. !

http://www.raw-power.com

Arthur Saxon

2008-08-23T06:30:00.003-05:00

ARTHUR SAXON
(Arthur Henning)

Saxon was a strongman performing in Europe in the 1890's. On February 26, 1898, he appeared on stage performing his feat of lifting a huge barbell with one arm (as seen in the photo below) and announced that "...even the Great Sandow would not be able to lift it!

Unknown to Saxon, Sandow was in the audience. Sandow stood up and accepted the challenge and came onstage. Saxon lifted the barbell first, then stepped back to give Sandow his turn. Sandow, in his haste, did not balance the bar properly and the barbell toppled. Sandow demanded another try, and this time, he balanced the bar, lifting it overhead without effort. Sandow was not immediately declared the winner, however. It took 4 years for the debate to be settled.

It wasn't until 1902 that Sandow was finally declared the official winner and strongest of the two. Saxon wrote a book in 1910 entitled "The Textbook of Weight-Lifting". Saxon was very strong. His record lifts were - bent press: 370 lbs.* - snatch: 195 lbs. - military press: 252 lbs. - two hands anyhow (powerlift): 448 lbs.

Saxon served in World War I and apparently suffered greatly from malnutrition during the conflict. He attempted to carry on his strongman act at the end of the war, but this was almost impossible in his weakened condition. He never really recovered from the deprivations of the war, and grew weaker with unsuspected tuberculosis. It was because of this that he became an easy prey to pneumonia. Arthur Saxon eventually died from complications on August 6, 1921. He was only 43 years of age.

*There are reports that Saxon actually performed the bent press with 385 lbs. before witnesses.

A Great Grimek Pic!

2008-08-09T14:50:00.001-05:00

Upright rows! Heavy Iron!

Surely a nice York Barbell!

Jackson Barbell Raffle

2008-06-27T12:52:00.002-05:00

If I see some interest, I may raffle off a set of Jackson Dumbbells, packaged along with some other Iron Game collectibles. A close friend has hit some hard times,and I figure I may be able to help him out a bit by doing this.

Watch this site for raffle information:

http://www.vintage-barbell.com/

Slim "The Hammerman" Farman

2008-06-17T16:17:00.005-05:00

If you are like me, and enjoy feats of strength, look no further than the modern day "Old Time" strongmen out there performing today. Guys like Slim "Hammerman" Farman, Dennis Rogers, Greg Matonick, "Irish Anvil" Tom Kelly, Pat "Human Vise" Povilaitis, etc.

I recently got the 336 P.O.F. Rogers / Povilaitis DVD, and its awesome to say the least. The Slim DVD set is next on my list, and I cant wait to watch it.

Bur Collars

2008-05-14T15:27:00.003-05:00

I got some nice BUR collars off my Iron Buddy Chris! Excellent addition to my collection. (I love collars for some reason) :>)

Thanks Chris!

Vintage Milo Set on eBay...

2008-05-06T06:13:00.002-05:00

My Friend Robert put his Milo set up on eBay!

Get out there and bid all you collectors :>)

Strongfort Dumbbells

2008-04-06T07:20:00.003-05:00

Here's a picture of some Strongfort Dumbbells in my collection.

Strongfort's real name was Max Unger and you can see one of old publications here!

Paul Pons

2008-03-18T15:25:00.001-05:00

Scan from a Paul Pons postcard in my collection.

Sig Klein - Classic Pose

2008-02-25T07:37:00.002-05:00

Here's a classic pose of Sig Klein, right around 57 years of age I believe. He always was in fantastic shape throughout his lifetime!

Muscle Museum's Latest Acquisition

2008-02-22T16:08:00.002-05:00

For those who haven't seen the latest Muscle Museum Forum, here is photo of one of Muscle Museum's latest acquisitions. It's a French barbell from the late 1800's we believe. Story is that it was brought to New Orleans around turn of the last century. No one seems to be able to recall ever seeing this tear-drop shape of bell before.

160 Pound Globe Barbell

2008-01-18T06:26:00.000-05:00

Here's a 160 pound Globe Barbell I recently acquired. Approx. 100 years old.

Nice piece of Vintage Iron!

Robert Baraban Hand Grippers

2007-12-20T13:58:00.001-05:00

For a great deal on Robert Baraban Hand Grippers, visit "GripEmpire" on eBay!

For the best info on Grip Strength, right from the mouths of the masters themselves (David Horne, etc.) visit the GripBoard!!

Ageless Strength - 20 Lb. Indian Clubs, Meels or Persian Clubs

2007-12-18T13:48:00.000-05:00

My friend Rich "Army" Maguire and Ageless Strength have just finished production of an instructional DVD to assist in instruction should you get the fever and want to learn The Fundamentals of light or Heavy Club Swinging. Check it out here!!

Barbell Beer Stein

2007-12-14T15:00:00.000-05:00

Check out this awesome German Beer Stein from 1927! Nice detail, and I love how the lid is a Kettlebell or Throwing Weight complete with handle.

Osmo's Iron Master Dumbbells...

2007-12-07T12:49:00.000-05:00

Here's a picture of an Osmo Kiiha Iron Master Dumbbell.

I ended up buying one last year (cast iron version) as he also put out an aluminum one as well.

A great piece of vintage iron if you are lucky enough to fine one!

Some of my Iron!

2007-11-24T20:34:00.001-05:00

A recent pic of my collection room. Globe barbell, sitting on York racks, surrounded by 16 Jackson Globe Dumbbells (8 pairs).

Of course I have other items lying around as well!

Louis Cyr Dumbbell

2007-10-30T06:28:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of one of Louis Cyr's famous dumbbells. Louis was one of these strongest men to ever live, and he proved it many times over by lifting this solid bell.

Sandow Spring Grip Dumbbells

2007-10-08T12:07:00.000-05:00

From the collection of Tony Holland and the Sandowplus website, here's a version of the Sandow Bells that I have never seen before!

W.A. Pullum with a Classic Globe Barbell

2007-09-26T07:27:00.000-05:00

Here's an autographed picture of Pullum, that he sent to Leo Gaudreau (Anvils, Horseshoes and Cannons). Looks like he may be preparing to do a bent press?

Globe barbells being gathered for 1924 Olympics...

2007-09-15T05:46:00.001-05:00

Oh, to only have a time machine!!!

Don Athaldo on "Superman Magazine" cover!

2007-08-30T15:59:00.001-05:00

(Born Walter Joseph Lyons) - 1894 -1965

DON ATHALDO, strongman, was born on 26 November 1894 at Condobolin, New South Wales, son of Frederick Horace George Lyons, a carpenter from Queensland, and his native-born wife Elizabeth, née Power, who died of tuberculosis soon afterwards. Named Walter Joseph, he was sickly and could not walk properly until aged 5.

He later saw the strongman 'Dr Gordon' at Fitzgerald Bros' Circus, read about ancient Greece and built himself up by taking correspondence courses in physical culture.

Apprenticed to a blacksmith for five years, Lyons followed that trade and won repute as a circus strongman. Please go here to read the rest of the article!

Sandown with Vintage Bells!!

2007-08-06T16:34:00.001-05:00

This is a great, old, picture of Eugen Sandow, with some very unique Barbells, Dumbbells and Kettlebells!

Old Milo Bar Bell ad...

2007-08-01T16:25:00.000-05:00

A nice old ad from The Milo Bar Bell Company!

Muscle Museum Forum

2007-07-24T03:59:00.001-05:00

For those who are interested in vintage barbells, collecting, and the "Iron Game" in general, please subscribe to "Muscle Museum Forum" published by Mike BonDurant, you won't be disappointed!

Dear Fan of the Iron Game,
MUSCLE MUSEUM FORUM is your magazine devoted to the history of Physical Culture and the collecting of Iron Sport memorabilia.

Future issues will cover:
· Mail-Order Musclemen, Acquiring a Strength Library,
· Unusual Pieces of Exercise Equipment, Collecting Muscle Magazines,
· Pioneers of Physical Culture like Jowett, Calvert, Schmidt, etc.
· The early barbell companies, such as MILO, BUR, YORK, SAXON, and JACKSON
· With many other stimulating and informative articles you won’t want to miss!
And other interesting features such as our continuing THE BEGINNING COLLECTOR, HOME GYM PAGE, IRON TALES, GREAT OLDE GYMS, COLLECTORS’ CORNER, MUSCLE MAIL, TRAINING TIPS, IRON CLASSIFIEDS, etc.

We hope you’ll subscribe now…don’t miss a single issue!!

Hey Mike!
Please send me the next four issues of MUSCLE MUSEUM FORUM! I have enclosed the following:
· U.S. $15.00
· Canada and Mexico $20.00
· Elsewhere $25.00

NAME______________________________________

ADDRESS___________________________________

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Payment may be by check, money order (make out to Mike. BonDurant), or PayPal (code mikebd1@bellsouth.net)
Subscriptions should be mailed to:
MUSCLE MUSEUM FORUM
Attn: Subscription Dept.
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St. Augustine, FL 32086

A few items....

2007-07-17T06:18:00.001-05:00

I picked up a few items this weekend. (Love New england Antique shopping) ! Set of "Roberts" 5 lb. Dumbbells, some Healthways "Health Shoes", and an "Sandow like" grip dumbbell. (Manufacturer is unknown).

"Sandow Like" Grip Dumbbells

2007-06-28T14:42:00.001-05:00

Here's a picture of some dumbbells that were recently on eBay. They are unmarked, but they are similar to the set I just found in an antique store, and similar to the famous Eugen Sandow Bells.

Bur Bar Bell Company Mailer

2007-06-15T13:07:00.001-05:00

Muscle Museum Dumbbells

2007-06-03T08:25:00.001-05:00

My friend Mike just picked up this old Milo Duplex dumbbell (foreground) for his "Muscle Museum". Behind it is an old Samson Globe Dumbbell, vintage iron for sure!

Vintage York Olympic Speed Collars.

2007-06-02T10:16:00.000-05:00

Vintage York Olympic Speed Collars.

You don't see these turn up much. A nice addition to any York collection.

The Travis Dumbbell

2007-05-19T10:07:00.000-05:00

The centerpiece of the central, skylighted gallery of the York Barbell Hall of Fame is the 7-foot Travis dumbbell weighing more than 1600 pounds, named for the man who made it famous, Warren Lincoln Travis. Travis weighed only 180 pounds at his zenith between 1906-1909, but his strongman exploits included lifting various weights up to more than 3,000 pounds in the harness, and back lifts of people and objects. The National Police Gazette recognized Travis in 1907 as the "strongest man in the world," and his elaborate metal belt proclaiming this pronouncement is displayed in the museum.

Frank Lifting the 267 lb. Monster !

2007-04-28T18:26:00.000-05:00

Frank in action! Insane strength!

My New Globe Dumbbell...

2007-04-28T18:22:00.000-05:00

This is the Ciavatonne 267 lb. Challenge Dumbbell!! I got it off of my friend Frank Ciavatonne, one of the strongest men who ever lived. Franks at that point where he's downsizing his Irongame collection, and lucky me, I get 1st dibs!!

Henry "Milo" Steinborn

2007-04-16T16:32:00.000-05:00

Thanks again to the "Iron Barbell" website. Here is the squat, from the man who is credited with bring the squat to Americana, Henry "Milo" Steinborn. Henry could still squat with 300-pounds well into his eighties. What a beautiful barbell!

Vintage Anthony Barker Barbell Ad !

2007-04-12T17:30:00.000-05:00

An old Anthony Barker Barbell ad. See the post below this one, its an A. Barker Barbell for sure !!

Rare Globe Barbell and Jowett Dumbbells

2007-04-10T09:31:00.000-05:00

A nice old barbell and dumbbell set. My friend Carl Linich said its probably a Anthony Barker Barbell, and set of Jowett dumbells. The Barbell weighs 38 pounds when empty, and the ends can be unscrewed and filled with sand to add weight. The dumbbells weigh 14 pounds each.

Odd Looking Globe Barbell

2007-04-04T03:45:00.000-05:00

Here's an odd looking Globe Barbell that I recently saw on eBay Australia. No bids as of yet, only starting at $1.00. Its for pick up only, and that's much too far to travel from the USA!!

Vintage Weider "Keep Fit" or "Go Go" Dumbbell

2007-03-16T13:39:00.000-05:00

Here is a vintage Weider "Keep Fit" or "Go Go" Dumbbell made in the 1960's, sort of hard to come by these days.

The "Good Bell" is Missing!

2007-03-05T15:57:00.000-05:00

The Good Bell, has been missing since the Spring Water plant (on which property the bell was displayed) since 2004 or so. Anyone know of its whereabouts ?

Hard to hide something that big !!

(Follow up post): Joe Roark (IronHistory.com) has tracked down the Bell and the owner, and the report is that the bell is now at his farm awaiting a place of honor at a community receational center
to be built. (In process). "Good" news for sure!!

Milo Triplex US Patent 1316683

2007-02-25T14:31:00.000-05:00

Here is a scan of the Milo Duplex Kettlebell Patent by Alan Calvert - Milo Barbell 1919.

2007-02-17T12:08:00.000-05:00

I picked up some vintage iron today (finally). I have been searching for years! I got a Osmo "Iron Master" cast iron dumbbell (150 lbs.), a Milo Duplex Kettlebell, and a Globe Barbell with a 1 and 1/2" brass handle. (still trying to figure out the make/model of it).

The Schaffron Dumbbell

2007-02-16T11:27:00.000-05:00

(Courtesy of The Iron Barbell website)

The Schaffron Dumbbell was created by and lifted by Harry Schaffron, a vaudevillian strongman who designed his own weights for the stage. Note the thick handle, showing that Schaffron knew the secret behind Thomas Inch's famous dumbbell.

Tony Massimo with some Milo Barbells

2007-02-14T15:29:00.000-05:00

(Courtesy of The Iron Barbell website)

Tony Massimo poses with some Milo Barbells, Dumbbells and Kettlebells. Massimo wrote his own book called "Modern Hercules" (Iron Fact) - The first barbell manufacturer in the United States, Milo Barbell Company was established in 1902 by Alan Calvert and purchased by Bob Hoffman in 1935.

Rolandow Barbell

2007-02-14T15:25:00.000-05:00

(Courtesy of The Iron Barbell website)

The Rolandow Barbell takes center stage at the York Barbell museum. Rolandow was a Swiss strongman who's best lift was the bent press with a best of 299-pounds, one of the best performances in this lift at the time. This barbell no doubt was bent pressed many times. Originally owned by another famous strongman, Professor Attila and then by Sig Klein who purchased all of the Professors equipment.

Reubens Vintage Jackson Display Rack

2007-02-14T15:20:00.000-05:00

My buddy Reuben's display. (one of them). Reuben is a long time collector of Jackson, Milo, York and anything that relates to the Iron Game. He buys, sells and trades mags, courses, books, equipment and anything Iron-Game related. If you are looking for anything in particular, please join www.ironhistory.com, you will find may Strength Historians and Collectors!

Strongfort Dumbbells

2007-02-14T15:11:00.000-05:00

Lionel Strongfort, whose real name was Max Unger, was born in Berlin, Germany, November 23, 1878. He began his famed stage career around 1897, becoming world renowned for his "Human Bridge Act" (The Tomb of Hercules position). Strongfort's greatest fame came after retiring from the stage in the early 1900s, launching his world famous mail order course, "Strongfortism" which appeared in popular publications the world over. For more than 25 years until about 1935, "Strongfortism" was one of the most successful train-by-mail correspondence school adventures. Lionel Strongfort lived a healthy, active life until he passed away at the ripe old age of 92.Here's a pic of some Strongfort Dumbbells.

Jackson International Barbell Co.

2007-02-07T18:17:00.000-05:00

Andy Jackson's interest in barbells began in 1925, when he was 19 years of age, and worked on ships in the engine room. Walking down a pier to sign on a ship, he spotted the chief engineer repairing a stateroom door. It was a warm day and he was in short sleeves, and Andy could see his massive arms and deep chest. Andy was quick to ask him how he got such a build. He told Andy it was through exercise with weights. Read the complete story here!

Vintage Barbells & Oldetime Strongmen!

Shots from the Milo Barbell Company ...

Richard “Army” Maguire - Some of His Grippers

Hermann Goerner

Hermann Goerner

Travis Barbell & Dumbbell

Carl's Vintage Iron

Apollo - The Scottish Hercules

Raw-Power Redesigned...

Arthur Saxon

ARTHUR SAXON (Arthur Henning)

Saxon was a strongman performing in Europe in the 1890's. On February 26, 1898, he appeared on stage performing his feat of lifting a huge barbell with one arm (as seen in the photo below) and announced that "...even the Great Sandow would not be able to lift it!

*There are reports that Saxon actually performed the bent press with 385 lbs. before witnesses.

A Great Grimek Pic!

Jackson Barbell Raffle

Slim "The Hammerman" Farman

Bur Collars

Vintage Milo Set on eBay...

Strongfort Dumbbells

Paul Pons

Sig Klein - Classic Pose

Muscle Museum's Latest Acquisition

160 Pound Globe Barbell

Robert Baraban Hand Grippers

Ageless Strength - 20 Lb. Indian Clubs, Meels or Persian Clubs

Barbell Beer Stein

Osmo's Iron Master Dumbbells...

Some of my Iron!

Louis Cyr Dumbbell

Sandow Spring Grip Dumbbells

W.A. Pullum with a Classic Globe Barbell

Globe barbells being gathered for 1924 Olympics...

Don Athaldo on "Superman Magazine" cover!

Sandown with Vintage Bells!!

Old Milo Bar Bell ad...

Muscle Museum Forum

A few items....

"Sandow Like" Grip Dumbbells

Bur Bar Bell Company Mailer

Muscle Museum Dumbbells

Vintage York Olympic Speed Collars.

The Travis Dumbbell

Frank Lifting the 267 lb. Monster !

My New Globe Dumbbell...

Henry "Milo" Steinborn

Vintage Anthony Barker Barbell Ad !

Rare Globe Barbell and Jowett Dumbbells

Odd Looking Globe Barbell

Vintage Weider "Keep Fit" or "Go Go" Dumbbell

The "Good Bell" is Missing!

Milo Triplex US Patent 1316683

The Schaffron Dumbbell

Tony Massimo with some Milo Barbells

Rolandow Barbell

Reubens Vintage Jackson Display Rack

Strongfort Dumbbells

Jackson International Barbell Co.

ARTHUR SAXON
(Arthur Henning)