Posted 10 years ago
BTrep
(1 item)
This was passed down from my grandmother to my dad. It sits in a foldable sewing table but is currently removed because the table is being refinished. It has the faded word "MARS" across the top but I have found no record of that brand. The number 1561931 is found under the sliding covers
Your machine is made by the National Sewing Machine Co and is a VB-TT type 5 I think.
I feel like the official welcoming party...lol..welcome to CW...lovely machine...
Thanks for the info, i will post new pictures of the completed piece ASAP.
When I saw the decals on this machine, I recognized that I had found "my" machine. I have had absolutely no luck, in researching this machine. My decals are exactly like these. I am trying to date the machine, as well as find a name. Mine is completely rubbed off, on the front and back, both. I finally found a serial #, which was under lots of crud, under the throat plate. It is 2038333. What year was it made? I will probably never find out it's Brand Name, although I do realize that it is a Badge Machine. I can vaguely see a "B", (I think), at the end, where a name would be. Any help is appreciated.
Hi AdaDodd - your machine is also a National if it is the same as this one. Are you able to post a photo?
I tried to post pictures. They are under Lonesome Research title. I did it from my IPad. It seemed that I needed to create the Post on another page, instead of connecting it to this. I'm not sure where to put pictures, on this.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/122626-very-old-sewing-machine#comment-588975
OK, here's is what I tried to Post!!!!
I have perhaps a similar sewing machine with serial #3208988 (second digit 2 has smaller font and is engraved above other digits (like "in power 2" in math). I wonder how old it is?
Hi, Konstantin. :-)
It would be best for you to create a post of your own with up to four pictures, because sometimes people think their machine is the same make and model, but it turns out not to be the case.
Bernadette wrote all those years ago that the machine in this post is a badged (the name "MARS" is a badge) National VB-TT Type5.
That checks out. Look at this picture at the needlebar dot org website:
http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php?title=File:04natvbtt3506951.jpeg
See how your machine compares with the characteristics of a National VB-TT Type 5 (reformatted for CW S&T):
*snip*
Size: Full
Body Shape: Rounded
Inspection Plate(s): Shoulder
Upper Tension: Top Leaf
Stitch Length Control: Pillar Screw
Notes: (Arrow) New model shape. Low bobbin winder.
Size - 14 1/2" x 6 13/16"
http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php/National_Vibrating_Shuttle_Machines
CW user AdaDodd tried to link their own post, but didn't quite make it. Here is is:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/131821-lonesome-research
Bernadette indicated that one was a National Vindex, but I don't think so. I think it's also a National VB-TT Type 5.
Unfortunately, there is no central database of National sewing machine serial numbers. The best anybody can do is compare the serial number on their own with that on one that has been dated by other means, like this Willamette D-badged National VB-TT Type 5 that belongs to techno-renaissance man Wayne Schmidt:
http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/images/sm%20bessy%20small.jpg
*snip*
Dating antique sewing machines is often a combination of hunting and guesswork. In this case, the name may provide a clue. The Willamette D sewing machines were made by National for the Portland, Oregon-based chain of Meier & Frank department stores. While she has a serial number (2,296,351) there are no known lists of National sewing machine serial numbers and production dates, so that by itself doesn't help much. But, when compared to our other National machine, which has a 2,167,857 serial number and was dated to 1913 by other means, it suggests this Willamette D is slightly later, say around 1914. Additionally, assuming the name refers to the town of Willamette, which only existed from 1908 to 1917, this date seems to be reasonable.
Bessy (named after the lady who first owned her and handed her down through two generations before her granddaughter entrusted her to our care) is a VB-TT (vibrating shuttle - top tension) type 5 machine who still works after 105 years. After a little polishing and decal restoration she'll be a real gem.
*snip*
http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/Antique%20Sewing%20Machines.html
This dedicated researcher did some pretty deep dives to date their Charles Williams Stores-badged National VB-TT Type 5:
https://ncweekendquilter.blogspot.com/p/treadle.html
About National:
https://ismacs.net/national/from_eldredge_to_national_to_janome.html
So to summarize: if your own machine is indeed a National VB-TT Type 5 with a serial number of 3208988, then it's newer than the one in this post (SN 1561931), the one in AdaDodd's post (2038333), and the one at Wayne Schmidt's website (SN 2296351).