Abstract: The method and device convert conventional shuttle looms into dummy shuttle looms, wherein weft yarns, unwound from stationary bobbins or the like outside the loom, are seized, pulled across the warp yarn shed and then released, by means of a so called dummy shuttle or weft gripper, at adjustably selected points along a dummy shuttle path extending along the loom slay, independently of the slay instantaneous position and movement direction. The slay motions and direction changes are utilized to selectively operate weft yarn bearers and weft gripper opening mechanisms for seizing the weft yarns and releasing the same, respectively, at the inlet and at the outlet of the dummy shuttle path across the shed.