Posted 2 years ago
hotairfan
(385 items)
I bought this 1894 Willcox and Gibbs sewing machine to run at shows using my 1895 Sipp steam engines (previously posted). I took these photos before I cleaned it up, and now, it looks like it was just made. it runs smoothly sewing from three to thirty stiches an inch, and does it quietly, making no sound as it operates. It really is in remarkable condition, considering that it was first produced shortly after the civil war. I love mechanical machines, and this is a marvel of engineering.
Unlike other sewing machines, Willcox and Gibbs sewing machines do not need a bobbin. On the last photo, you can see the chain stitch from the bottom view and how it links together
A number of attachments, such as hemmers and rufflers were and still are available to use.
These machines were often equipped with a crank to operate by hand. This particular model never had a hand crank, it was used on a treadle machine.
It doesn't matter, because I am going to belt it to my 1/2 hp. Sipp steam engine to run on air pressure at the model shows that I attend.
hotairfan, Wow. :-)
That is very cool. <3
I'm 'assuming' you came up with the age based on the newest patent date engraved on the machines bed:
PATENTED IN U.S.A
MAR. 28-82 APRIL 17-83
NOV. 22-87 FEB 12,19,26-89
AUG. 28-94 (THREE)
That's probably wise, because one of the experts at the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society (ISMACS) website opined on the subject:
https://ismacs.net/willcoxandgibbs/wg_numbers.html
Here is the basic patent for that model:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US21129
Here's a sibling at a museum:
https://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/death_valley/exb/Scottys_Castle/Vacation_Recreation/DEVA14416_SC_sewingMachine.html
Here's what the treadle for yours might have looked like:
https://ismacs.net/willcoxandgibbs/glasswg.html
You come up with some weird merde, - and you know I luv it !
thank you for your nice comments
hotairfan, You're more than welcome. :-)
I didn't know if there was anything I could tell you about this machine, because it seems like you already know quite a bit. Maybe I'm just telling myself. };-)
Here's a 1904 manual in case you don't already have one:
http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/Willcox%20&%20Gibbs%20Manual%20Automatic%20Tension.pdf
Here are three 1894 patents dated August 28, 1894 with Willcox & Gibbs as the assignee:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US525042
https://patents.google.com/patent/US525043
https://patents.google.com/patent/US525044
That one about the seam for cut knit goods struck me because the seam is quite familiar looking a hundred and twenty eight years later.
Last but not necessarily least, here is a profile of Gibbs with this insightful observation from him:
*snip*
"No useful machine ever was invented by one man; and all first attempts to do work by machinery, previously done by hand, have been failures. It is only after several able inventors have failed in attempt, that someone with the mental power to combine the efforts of others with his own, at last produces a machine that is practicable. Sewing machines are no exception to this."
*snip*
https://ismacs.net/willcoxandgibbs/james-edward-allen-gibbs.html
thank you keramikos, the info that you sent is very helpful. The owner's manual is priceless... Thanks again
hotairfan, You're very welcome. I'm glad that I was able to provide a link to something of value to you. :-)