Posted 4 years ago
Beth1974
(1 item)
Can anyone help me find the model number on this sewing machine? I have the serial number and have figured out it’s from the “anniversary series” but can’t find model number. It’s a little dusty but otherwise in very good shape.
So I’m finally ready to see if my machine works but have 2 problems. One is I cannot get the drawers out at all! I can see the motor cord goes down behind the drawers but none are able to be removed. Which brings me to the second problem as if there is a power cord? If so I don’t have that piece at all. And where would it plug in?
Hi, Beth1974. :-)
Let's (re)establish some basic information. Yes, it is indeed a Centennial Singer.
The serial number on your machine looks like it might be "AJ977587," and per the Singer serial number tables at the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society (ISMACS) website, that would put it into this block of 32,779 serial numbers (967221 through 999999) that was allotted to the Elizabethport, NJ factory November 10th, 1950, and all were destined to be stamped into the beds of model 15 machines:
*snip*
AJ- 967221 999999 15 32779 November 10 1950
*snip*
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-aj-series-serial-numbers.html
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer_dating_by_serial_number.html
About the Elizabethport factory:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/elizabethport
Your decal set is called "Tefroil":
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/decals/decal17
I can't tell which cabinet you have, because none of your pictures show more than the top working surface of it. What I do see in your first picture is a bit suspect (odd crevices and scratches), almost like this machine wasn't originally installed in that cabinet.
Here's a gallery of cabinets:
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer_sewing_machine_cabinets.html
Your machine is definitely some flavor of model 15, because it has the D-shaped slide plate, plus the tension disc assembly protruding from the faceplate.
If I had to guess, I'd say that it might be model 15-91.
Here's a manual for a model 15-91:
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/15-91.pdf
Here's a service manual for the model 15-91:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1027731/Singer-15-91.html
It's difficult to tell exactly what is wrong from your pictures. Yes, you need a power cable, not to mention either a foot or knee controller.
The fact that you can't seem to open any of the drawers makes it seem possible that some of the electrical components were stored in them, and shifted during a move.
You'll probably need to take a look at the underside of the cabinet to see what's causing the jam.
More pictures could help: one full front picture of both the machine and the cabinet, and another looking down into the cabinet when the machine head is raised.
You can create a new post and link the two together in the comments sections.
You kind of caught me past my end of Internet surfing day yesterday, and among other things, I neglected to give you a link for an article about the model 15 family:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/15
Another possibility on the drawers of your cabinet not opening is that they're locked. That's pure speculation on my part, because I don't really know what kind of cabinet you have.
Here is a Centennial Singer 15-91 in a cabinet with drawers (I'm 'assuming' that drawer immediately below the machine head is either just a fake front, or a shallow drop-down drawer, and the only serious drawers are the ones on the right-hand side):
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Value-of-a-Singer-15-91-Sewing-Machine.html
That style of cabinet doesn't appear to lock, but I don't know if that's the kind of cabinet you have.
It really would be helpful for you to create another post with more pictures of your machine and its cabinet. See the examples in this post for a basic idea of what kind of pictures generally will help CW S&T regulars to help you:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/285089-vintage-sewing-machine-help
In your case, we already have a picture of the serial number, so we're good on that. What would be helpful now is one picture of the entire front of your machine, including all of the cabinet.
You also should provide a picture of the inside of your cabinet as seen through the hole in which the machine head seats.
Specifically, is there any sign of wiring or other electrical devices mounted on the inside of the cabinet as seen in the Singer model 15-91 service manual?:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1027731/Singer-15-91.html?page=4#manual
I see just a smidge of something in the lower right of your fourth picture that might what I'm talking about.
FYI, this is what a double lead power cord for a Singer model 15-91 looks like:
https://www.vintagesingerparts.com/collections/singer-model-15/products/singer-sewing-machine-power-cord-double-lead-fits-66-99-15-86-15-88-15-90-15-91-201-206w-206k-221-222-285k-301-306k-306w-319
It would plug into the male socket on the right-hand side of your machine head below the balance wheel.
Of course, you'd also need either a knee or foot controller to go with that, so before we get too far into the weeds on this issue (you may already have all of these accessories in the drawers of your cabinet), let's wait until we learn more about your cabinet.