Shuttle loom weft thread handling mechanisms cooperating to cut, hold and facilitate shuttle pickup of the proper sequence of weft threads. A plurality of external thread spools supplies different weft threads at each side of the fabric to the shuttle which sequentially and reciprocally carries them through the shed between the fabric edges. At the conclusion of each shuttle pass, the leading end of the weft thread is dislodged from the shuttle pincer hook. Simultaneously, a weft feed means selects the next weft thread to be inserted and presents it to the cut and hold assembly which cuts it and grips the spool-attached end in position to be snagged by the shuttle pincer hook on the shuttle''s next pass.