Posted 4 years ago
Jeremy25
(2 items)
Here are pictures I took upside down while it was in the cabinet. It does work but I want to restore it right.
Manhattan sewing machine | ||
| Recent comments19455 of 180030 |  |  |
Manhattan sewing machine | ||
| Recent comments19455 of 180030 | | |
Posted 4 years ago
Jeremy25
(2 items)
Here are pictures I took upside down while it was in the cabinet. It does work but I want to restore it right.
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Hi again, Jeremy25. :-)
These are more pictures of the same machine, yes?
I'm going to link the two posts here in the comments section:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/291511-manhattan-sewing-machine-w-blonde-tiger
That number underneath where the front slide plate normally sits is a known location for National sewing machines. The decals on the National VB-TT Type 5 look like those on your machine:
http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php?title=File:04natvbtt3506951.jpeg
http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php/National_Vibrating_Shuttle_Machines
Here's another member of the family with a lower serial number (2296351) than yours (3005230):
*snip*
Dating antique sewing machines is often a combination of hunting and guesswork. In this case, the name may provide a clue. The Willamette D sewing machines were made by National for the Portland, Oregon-based chain of Meier & Frank department stores. While she has a serial number (2,296,351) there are no known lists of National sewing machine serial numbers and production dates, so that by itself doesn't help much. But, when compared to our other National machine, which has a 2,167,857 serial number and was dated to 1913 by other means, it suggests this Willamette D is slightly later, say around 1914. Additionally, assuming the name refers to the town of Willamette, which only existed from 1908 to 1917, this date seems to be reasonable.
*snip*
http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/images/sm%20bessy%20small.jpg
http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/Antique%20Sewing%20Machines.html
And here's another (actually, using National VB-TT Type 5 as search criteria produces a lot of results):
https://amisimms.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/treadle2.jpg
https://amisimms.com/2010/10/24/i-bought-another-sewing-machine/
Unfortunately, no serial number was provided. :-(
As Wayne Schmidt suggested, about the closest one can get on dating a National sewing machine is to compare the serial number on yours to others that have been dated using other clues. Schmidt thinks his is circa 1914, so yours is somewhat newer.
Restoring your machine is a big subject. I don't know where you would find replacement parts (such as the front slide plate) other than by cannibalizing another similar machine.
It's possible that a modern replacement slide plate for a Singer model 27 might fit if you're not too fussy:
https://www.vintagesingerparts.com/collections/singer-model-27/products/singer-model-27-127-front-bobbin-cover
Modern replacement treadle belts are available from the same source:
https://www.vintagesingerparts.com/collections/leather-belt/products/treadle-sewing-machine-leather-belt-3-16-x-72-grade-a
Here's advice on fitting a replacement treadle belt:
https://www.quiltingroomwithmel.com/2017/03/replacing-treadle-sewing-machine-belts.html
There are links for restoration advice in that post I linked on your other post about this same machine, but I'll post it again here (dunno about you, but I'm getting dizzy):
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/285089-vintage-sewing-machine-help
Hi again, Jeremy25. :-)
I hope your restoration project is going well.
I don't know if you monitor your email for this account, but I'd like your permission to use your photo of the serial number for a post I've created to help vintage sewing machine owners locate the serial number on their machines:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/301606-vintage-sewing-machine-serial-number-loc