Posted 3 years ago
MrsChriste…
(1 item)
Hi all - I have an Singer Sewing machine and haven't been able to find information on it. I reached out to Singer and they said they don't have history info on any antique models....and the serial number isn't on ismacs. Anyone have any knowledge on how old it is, model, etc? Serial #: G4653153
Appreciate the help!
Oh wait...I believe I found the range...459901-509900, 1910?
Hi, MrsChristenson. :-)
You were on the right track in the sense that you figured out that the serial number on your vintage Singer sewing machine falls into a range of serial numbers in a table.
I suspect the reason a lot of people get frustrated trying to research a vintage Singer sewing machine on the Internet is because they try to use the serial number as their search criteria. That is to say, they literally type the serial number on their machine into a search engine, and become frustrated when they find nothing.
Unless that particular machine has been on the market since the advent of the Internet as a tool for the general public (as opposed to scientists and geeks), that approach is largely doomed to fail.
The Singer Corporation had the most extensive production records of any vintage sewing machine company. However, the serial number tables pertain to blocks of serial numbers, rather than there being an individual record for each serial number.
That actually would be staggering if they'd used the latter technique. I once concatenated the available serial number tables into a single file, imported it into a spreadsheet, and the total number of machines for which they had records was close to 100 million.
Singer no longer maintains those records, and has handed off the responsibility to the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society (ISMACS).
The serial number on your machine is "G4653153" which is seven digits, so it falls not into this range of six digit numbers in the G serial number table:
*snip*
G- 459901 509900 15 50000 June 2 1910
*snip*
But rather this seven digit one:
*snip*
G- 4613216 4663215 66 50000 May 3 1916
*snip*
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-g-series-serial-numbers.html
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer_dating_by_serial_number.html
It makes a difference not merely in the date (May 3rd, 1916) that block of 50,000 serial numbers (4613216 through 4663215) was allotted by the central office to one of the factories (Elizabethport), but which model of machine was manufactured (66 instead of 15).
You provided only one picture, a closeup of the serial number cartouche, and normally I would tell somebody who provides only a serial number that I'd be hesitant to go out on a limb and tell them which model of machine they have.
That's because while the Singer serial number tables are good, they're not infallible.
I've had a few experiences where somebody provided a full set of pictures of their machine, including a clear closeup of the serial number cartouche, but the model number in the table was clearly wrong (there is a tool on the Internet called "Sandman-Collectibles' Singer Sewing Machine Identification Template" that can identify about 18 different models of domestic Singer sewing machines, plus some minor sub-models).
However, in your case, I can see enough of the decal set to recognize it as the famous "Red Eye" set, and Singer only ever put that decal set on model 66 machines:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/decals/decal10
About the model 66:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/66
About the Elizabethport factory:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/elizabethport
https://www.ericwilliamsblog.com/left-behind-in-elizabeth-the-singer-manufacturing-company-part-1/
https://www.ericwilliamsblog.com/left-behind-in-elizabeth-the-singer-manufacturing-company-part-2/
A 1913 manual for a Singer model 66-1:
https://archive.org/details/Singer661Manual
I am going out on a limb just a little bit here, because the sub-model 66-1 is a treadle machine with a back-clamping presser foot (see here the difference in the two styles of presser feet clamps):
https://oldsingersewingmachineblog.com/2012/11/04/the-back-clamp-singer-66-mystery/
I don't know what kind of presser foot yours has (it looks like it's not presently installed in a cabinet).
If you want to make other Collectors Weekly Show & Tell users happy, you can edit your post and add up to three more pictures of your machine.
Here is some advice on post pictures and editing a post:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/285089-vintage-sewing-machine-help
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/291040-a-brief-tutorial-on-adding-images-to-an
kermikos - thank you so much for the detailed information. I will dive into all of it. I have uploaded some other images -- let me know if these are helpful. Thanks!
MrsChristenson, You're very welcome.
Thank you for adding more pictures. We like to see all of collectible items here, especially if they're beautiful. :-)
That cabinet is interesting. At first glance, I would have said that it looks like some variation on the extension leaf table, albeit with the side drawers on the 'wrong' side:
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/extlf_cab.html
But then I noticed the center drawer (removed), and the compartment for a drop head installation.
Perhaps it was originally a Cabinet Table No. 2 with five drawers, but the side drawers on the left hand side were removed for some reason?:
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/cabinet_table_no_2-3.html
As to your machine head: it does look to me like your machine has the back-clamping presser foot, so it is indeed a model 66-1. That back-clamping presser foot is a feature 'borrowed' from Wheeler & Wilson (Singer bought out Wheeler & Wilson in the early 20th century).
I don't know if you're planning on using this machine, but it's possible, indeed probable that it can be put in working order. Those old cast iron machines were built to last, and sometimes all they need (beside replacing any missing parts) is cleaning and lubrication.
The slide plate seems to be missing. Either it's in a drawer, or it's just plain missing.
If it's the latter, and you want to replace it, you have two options: (1) scour the Internet for an original that's been cannibalized from another machine (b) buy a new replacement. The latter is also available online.
The same thing with the bobbin. Those are actually easily replaced; you can even get class 66 bobbins at Joann.
A replacement leather belt that attaches the machine head to the treadle is available online, and there's also expert advice online on fitting one to a treadle machine.
I don't want to burden you with too much more information if you're not planning on restoring and using your machine, so I'll stop here.
However, if you do want more information, don't hesitate to ask.