Posted 4 years ago
SJMC
(3 items)
My mother was given this machine in the early 70's. It is a Pfaff I was told it was ca 192o-30. This one has a model #31 on it. Which I have never seen. (I have seen lots of 30s and 130s). Can anyone tell me more specific info on it?
Welcome to CW! Just click on the "Edit this item" button and go down to "Related categories" and delete the coke machine entry by backspacing until it disappears and type "sewing" and select "non singer sewing machines" and Save
kwqd- THanks for your help I fixed it! :)
Hi, SJMC. :-)
Yeah, you're right, information on the ground seems to be a bit thin for the Pfaff model 31.
I don't know if you've found the serial number , but here is a table of Pfaff serial numbers at the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society (ISMACS) website:
http://ismacs.net/pfaff/pfaff_manufacture_dates.html
(FYI, I don't think the serial number for yours is that "2250" on the underside, because Pfaff serial numbers were already into 7 digits by year 1910.)
Per the Needlebar website:
*snip*
Pfaff models were originally given letters for identification, but later switched to numbering (as did other manufacturers). By 1916 they were using up to model 102.
The Pfaff H is a Central Bobbin machine and it became known as Pfaff 31 (see below).
*snip*
http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php?title=Pfaff#Pfaff_Model_H
*snip*
This central bobbin straight stitch machine incorporates the top tension on the face plate, no drop feed knob and has a low mounted bobbin winder with round rear inspection plate.
*snip*
http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php?title=Pfaff#Pfaff_31
I found more than one opinion that the Pfaff model 31 is similar to the Singer model 15, and I'd agree in the sense that it has the tension disc assembly coming out of the faceplate rather than the front of the machine.
Here's a PDF manual:
https://dolfmeister.com/files/sewing_machines/pfaff_30-31.pdf
Here is a forum for old Pfaff sewing machine enthusiasts:
https://groups.io/g/OldPfaffPforum
If I am wrong about the serial number (which I suspected already because it didn't line up with the time period I was given) then where can I locate the actual serial number?
Hi again, SJMC.
I was a bit troubled by those two pages labeled "Missing" (which to me is not quite the same as "This page is intentionally left blank"), so I went back out there and found this:
https://idoc.pub/download/pfaff-model-30-31-owners-manual-5143vm2j22nj
Which has actual information on those two pages. Unfortunately, then I was troubled by the forward-facing tension disc assembly. >8-0
This video of a Pfaff model 31 manual shows a machine with a tension disc assembly coming out of the faceplate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KVIZHlFfQQ
Of course, now I had two problems: (1) it's a video as opposed to a PDF file for whatever strange reason (2) the manual is in Dutch.
The truly determined would play the YouTube video in full screen mode, make captures of each page, then convert and translate any text in the images.
I'm only semi-determined, so I did one page as a test (the page on the right at around the 21 second mark).
I pumped the resulting image into this:
https://www.newocr.com/
Which not only converted the image to text, but also offered to pump the resulting text into Google Translate. Here's a sample:
The counting in of the cutting edge is done with the aid of the
screw My afberlding
Well, that's only semi-intelligible, so I went back and touched up a few of the obvious errors in the Dutch text, and took it to Google Translate for another try:
The counting in of the cutting edge is done with the aid of the
screw M. image
Hey, it's better than a sharp stick in the eye. };-)
I don't know if you want to go through all that, but it is possible.
Whoops, I was busy, and didn't see your question about the serial number location.
I tried to find some information about where exactly to look, and got nothing other than "look everywhere, especially the underside."
Using "2250" would date your machine to 1871-1872, but you seem to think it's more likely to be of 1920s/1930s vintage (because of what your mother was told by the giver?).
I did find one interesting picture of a 1927 Pfaff model 31 that unfortunately can't be expanded by normal means, because it's on Pinterest (I don't have a Pinterest account):
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/332210909989775102/
It looks like there's a seven digit serial number starting with a "2" just below the front edge of the bed in a location that would be hidden were the machine installed in a cabinet.
I don't really see that on yours. Is is perhaps obscured by paint/dirt?
Oh, you rock, SJMC!
I see your fourth picture now of a number that reads "2874364."
That would put it in this range:
1934 2851984
1935 2974097