gapneyj

Edit: @neckspike got it, seems to be a Singer 9W. An unusual model indeed!

Edit 2: muting this now that it’s solved ;)

Ok here’s the true test of whether the fedi can replace Reddit. Can anyone help me identify this antique singer sewing machine?

I’m pretty good at recognizing all the most common models, but a friend found this in his in-law’s house and it has me stumped.

Boosts appreciated

#sewing @sewing #antique #antiqueSewingMachine #vintageSewingMachine

Jun 20, 2023 at 5:30pmWeb
Show threadAndy AlderwickJun 20, 2023
@jepyang Do you have the serial number handy?
Show threadjuulcatJun 20, 2023
@jepyang as @alderwick says, get the serial number then go to https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-sewing-machine-serial-number-database.html
Singer Sewing Machine Company Serial Numbers

ISMACS Singer Serial Number lookup. Here you can look up your serial number and find out when your Singer Sewing Machine was made as well as identify what model you have.

International Sewing Machine Collectors Society
Show threadAndy AlderwickJun 20, 2023
@juulcat @jepyang Aha! I was just trying to find that very site. Thanks a bunch! 
Show threadgapneyjJun 20, 2023
@alderwick Not currently. I told my friend I could probably figure it out with the s/n assuming it’s from a year that records still exist for.
Show threadChris Helming  Jun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing model 15? http://www.needlebar.org/main/15chart/index.html http://needlebar.org/main/sident/index.html
Singer Model 15 Comparisons

burble

Show threadgapneyjJun 20, 2023
@chelming @sewing That was my first thought because I haven’t seen any other Singers with the tension assembly on the side, but it doesn’t really match otherwise…unless there’s a Model 15 sub variant I don’t know about…
Show threadJason DyerJun 20, 2023

@jepyang @sewing there's a database where you can enter the serial number

https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-sewing-machine-serial-number-database.html

Singer Sewing Machine Company Serial Numbers

ISMACS Singer Serial Number lookup. Here you can look up your serial number and find out when your Singer Sewing Machine was made as well as identify what model you have.

International Sewing Machine Collectors Society
Show threadA cool crab wearing shadesJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing Oooh, My grandmother had one that, if not the same one, was very very similar. Powered by rocking a treadle with your foot. I believe it was her mother's I want to say circa 1900-1910 at the newest.
Show threadA cool crab wearing shadesJun 20, 2023

@jepyang @sewing I think I found it, take a look at this page for the Singer 9W and see if it matches up:

https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/9w

Singer Sewing Machine Model 9W

Everything you need to know about Singer sewing machine model 9W (was Wheeler & Wilson D9)

Show threadgapneyjJun 20, 2023
@neckspike @sewing This seems to be the one! Thank you!
Show threadA cool crab wearing shadesJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing It's a beauty! I hope it can be fixed up and enjoyed for a long time. I'll always be a little sad I couldn't take my Grammie's machine when she passed away.
Show threadgapneyjJun 20, 2023

@neckspike @sewing I can’t speak to the reliability of the 9W specifically, but for the most part sewing machines from this era tend not to be too difficult to fix up at all. They’re really overbuilt, and were intended to be a reliable machine that could be repaired indefinitely. Almost comparable to, like, buying a family car.

A lot of times a good cleaning, a bit of sewing machine oil, and a new needle might be all that’s needed.

Show threadJen! Please ClapJun 20, 2023
@neckspike @jepyang @sewing my grandma has one too!
Show threadFrost, wolf of winter 🐺🎄Jun 20, 2023
@jepyang That looks identical to the one our mom has! But maybe we're just bad at differentiating.
Show threadFrost, wolf of winter 🐺🎄Jun 20, 2023
@jepyang (and unfortunately we don't know what model our mom has, either, so we're absolutely no help)
Show threadRagnell the Mildly UnpleasantJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing I HAVE this one.
Show threadRagnell the Mildly UnpleasantJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing Nope, not quite. I have a 201, it's a little more squat and with less decoration on it. But it's got the model number in a little placard near the serial number placard. Does yours have one?
Show threadTheCoolestJun 20, 2023

@jepyang @sewing I know nothing about antique sewing machines but I found these relevant links which look like a match:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/195710-old-singer-sewing-machine
https://hudsonwoodworking.com/before-after-pics/1879-singer-sewing-machine-restoration_edited-800x417/

The last commenter on the first link appears to know what they're talking about, it does look like a Singer 9W (1905-1912)

Old Singer Sewing Machine | Collectors Weekly

Shop for—and learn—about vintage and antiques. Browse the best of eBay, connect with other collectors, and explore the history behind your favorite finds.

Show threadJust Tom... 🐁Jun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing there's a website that lists all the serial numbers and models of Singer sewing machines. https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-sewing-machine-serial-number-database.html
Singer Sewing Machine Company Serial Numbers

ISMACS Singer Serial Number lookup. Here you can look up your serial number and find out when your Singer Sewing Machine was made as well as identify what model you have.

International Sewing Machine Collectors Society
Show threadSofia ☭🇧🇷☭Jun 20, 2023
@jepyang is it unusual in some way? I'd guess it was from the 1910s-1920s, if that helps
Show threadgapneyjJun 20, 2023
@sofiav Unusual in the sense that it doesn’t match any of Singer’s most common models.
Show threadSofia ☭🇧🇷☭Jun 20, 2023
@jepyang but what specifically is different? Also, what country are you in? They had different models in different countries
Show threadSofia ☭🇧🇷☭Jun 20, 2023
@jepyang oh, never mind, looks like you got it. It's pretty!
Show threadsleepyJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing Maybe there is a serial/model number plate on the underside (not the table)?
Show threadGemma 👽Jun 20, 2023
@jepyang
It appears to be a Singer sewing machine. Pretty old by the looks of it. Hth. 
Show threadMercurius GoldsteinJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing
Yep, that’s a Singer.
Show threadDoofus CanadensisJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing oh neat! I'm pretty sure my grandmother had one of those. no idea if it's still in the family though.
Show threadMary MazzoccoJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing It's not a Model 99? It looks like the one my grandmother had.
Show threadKate WatsonJun 20, 2023
@sewing@a.gup.peI@jepyang@wandering.shop it’s very similar to mine but I can’t get to it at the moment to check. There should be a serial number on the machine somewhere you can look up? (May not be original to the table, looks 40s to me)
Show threadSkyJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/9w
Singer Sewing Machine Model 9W

Everything you need to know about Singer sewing machine model 9W (was Wheeler & Wilson D9)

Show threadSkyJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing Per that site, it looks so different because it's actually a rebranding of another company's product after they bought the company.
Show threadSamhain NightJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing No, but I've seen that type before in antique shops. Maybe look for a pricing guide?
Show threadCrafty ツ 🍁Jun 20, 2023
@jepyang @neckspike @sewing @arne can’t help but that’s gorgeous 😍
Show threadArne FockeJun 20, 2023
@craftykraken @jepyang @neckspike @sewing Old machines… that is why I love working in open air museums. We own a Textima. Sadly non-functional at the moment. We mean to get it fixed.
Show threadClemensJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing @neckspike looks like this was solved already, but if it isn't, I think my parents have this exact model at home (inherited from my grandma), and I could probably look up the serial next time I'm there.
Show threadRuby Luftyloon Jun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing What's the serial number? That'll help immensely with tracking down the specific model and exact year it was made.
Show threadDavid O'BrienJun 20, 2023

My gran had one of these.

The sewing machine was powered by a rocker pedal. Purely mechanical.

You could spin the entire thing round so the machine flipped below the table. Basically, you just had a table left.

Very clever engineering.

My memories are from the 1970s. The machine was almost certainly made in the 50s or 60s.

Singer built things to last.Which, sadly, contributed to their downfall as we entered the age of #disposability.

@jepyang @sewing @neckspike

Show threadDavid O'BrienJun 20, 2023

https://www.pamono.co.uk/19th-century-sewing-machine-from-singer

This suggests it was 19th century.

I'm not so sure. But it was a trestle, and you flipped it when you didn't need it so you had a table.

Clever product design. Working people didn't have much space then.

@jepyang @sewing @neckspike

19th Century Sewing Machine from Singer

Beautiful ancient singer sewing machine of the last century. Story: Since 1851, the name Singer has been synonymous with sewing. The spirit of practical design and creative innovation that characterized the company at its beginnings continues today while we develop products for all levels of sewing.

pamono.co.uk
Show threadgapneyjJun 20, 2023
@iamdavidobrien @sewing @neckspike Singer made this model of treadle cabinet for a really long time, starting in the late 19th century into ww2 era IIRC. At some point they updated the design somewhat but you see a lot of different machines in this table because they made it so long
Show threadDeeAnn LittleJun 20, 2023

@jepyang if you can find the serial number stamp (it can be hard sometimes, you might need a flashlight) you should be able to identify it for sure that way.

@sewing

Show threadMatthias LiffersJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing @neckspike I've got one of those tables sitting in the corner of my loungeroom. Don't know if it's the same model though, haven't seen the actual sewing machine for a few years.
Show threadPhil ReesJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing @neckspike My wife thinks the design was originally Wheeler and Wilson which Singer rebadged when they bought the company. She said it had a double rotary hook that was the precursor of the lovely Singer 115.
Show threadgapneyjJun 20, 2023
@phrees @sewing @neckspike Yeah, now that I’ve had a minute to research it seems pretty interesting! I guess it’s technically Singer’s first rotary machine?
Show threadPhil ReesJun 21, 2023
@sewing @jepyang @neckspike Checked with wife. She thinks yes.
Show threadCefiarJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing Think you limited yourself mentioning the R word (since a bunch of ppl have it muted now to cut down noise). That said, there is this wonderful site of images of Singer machines that may help: https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/gallery_machines
Photo Gallery to Identify Singer Sewing Machine Models

Photo gallery of vintage Singer sewing machine models to enable rapid and easy identification

Show threadCefiarJun 20, 2023
@jepyang @sewing And just to reply to myself, it appears to be a 9W, which is the reason it looks so different, cos Singer bought another company and kept up production of the machines with Singer branding for a while. https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/9w
Singer Sewing Machine Model 9W

Everything you need to know about Singer sewing machine model 9W (was Wheeler & Wilson D9)

Show threadCefiarJun 20, 2023
@jepyang For anyone wondering: The thing I noticed first was that the slide and throat plates (the plates around the sewing foot) were both square, plus the square pillar design, both of which were very "un-singer-like" for these old machines. That helped a lot to identify it.
Show threadgapneyjJun 20, 2023
@cefiar The first thing I noticed that was off was the faceplate area—absolutely nothing like any Singer I’ve ever seen. Knew it had to be an oddball of some sort; I’m no expert at these but I know enough to clock this as unusual!
Show threadgapneyjJun 20, 2023
@cefiar Hah! You’re probably right but I got more than enough “did you know you can look up the serial number?” replies as it is, so maybe limiting my reach was a good thing in the long run 😅
Show threadJeff Zugale - Z FactoryJun 21, 2023
@jepyang @sewing @neckspike looks very much like my mom’s antique Singer treadle machine. :)
Show threadTama Samus 🏳️‍⚧️✨💖Jun 21, 2023
@jepyang @sewing @neckspike Hey, I recognize this! My grandmother has one up at their cottage! It's such a wonderful antique!
Show threadisaiahJun 21, 2023

@jepyang @neckspike @sewing @jackbrewster my mom has a similar one. my great grandmothers originally. it’s really neat, it automagically folds into the table.

the treadle broke in a move , but my uncle repaired it with some very expert welds and it kind of makes the store if the thing that much better.

Show threadWilmhit until peace prevailsAug 14, 2023
singer 9w7