Posted 3 years ago
LVCorbell
(1 item)
I'm trying to help my Mother learn a little more about her Singer sewing Machine. The Instruction Booklet says it is Model 128-13 and the motor Serial # looks to be 4290706. Any information and help would be appreciated.
Thank you...
Hi, LVCorbell. :-)
That's so nice that you're helping your mother. <3
FYI, the serial number on the motor pertains to the motor only. The serial number that's in the little bronze-colored cartouche on the machine bed in front of the pillar is the one that will provide more information about the sewing machine head, e.g.:
https://www.singermachines.co.uk/pub/media/upload/image/model_5.jpg
Serial number AA663008 was one of a block of 20,000 consecutive serial numbers (644636 through 664635) that was allotted to one of the Singer factories (in this case the Elizabethport factory) on September 22th, 1925, and all were destined to be stamped into the beds of model 128 machines:
*snip*
AA- 644636 664635 128 20000 September 22 1925
*snip*
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-aa-series-serial-numbers.html
*snip*
ELIZABETHPORT
AA series 1924 1926
*snip*
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer_dating_by_serial_number.html
That allotment date isn't the date of manufacture for any particular machine associated with that block of serial numbers, but rather is the 'marching orders' from the central office to the particular factory.
You can estimate the date of manufacture using the allotment date that pertains to the serial number on your machine, plus the allotment date for the next block of serial numbers that were destined to be stamped into the beds of the same model number. However, it's all pretty speculative, and a safer 'assumption' would be that your machine was probably made before the allotment date of the next block:
*snip*
AA- 795211 815210 128 20000 December 8 1925
*snip*
It was immediately apparent to me that your machine belonged to the VS1, VS2, VS3, 27, 28, 127 and 128 family of machines because of the trapezoidal access panel, the circular needle/throat plate, and the split slide plates. The high-mounted bobbin winder narrowed it down further to either a model 128 or 128.
About the only difference between a model 127 and a model 128 is size. The model 128 is three-quarters the size of the model 127:
About the VS1, VS2, VS3, 27, 28, 127 and 128 family of machines:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer_Model_27_and_127
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/28
About models 127 and 128:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/128
I see that the manual you have is for a model 128-13, which would supposedly mean that it came pre-fitted with a 'BT' add-on motor, a Singer light, and a knee controller. Actually, the motor on your machine is a B.U.7-A, but that might have been an evolutionary feature.
Although I see the place on the case base where the knee controller would be installed, I don't see a knee controller in your pictures, e.g.:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/singer-u-1928-sewing-machine-box-135742883
Perhaps it's inside the bentwood case cover?
Here is a soft copy of a more generic manual for models 127 and 128:
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/127-128.pdf
I also see that you have a box of accessories. Here is a gallery to help you identify them:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/gallery_accessories
Your decal set is called La Vencedora:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/decals/decal14
And your bentwood case set is number 198:
*snip*
Base (83512) and cover (83525)
For machines 28, 128
Available in Oak (ATSUN), Walnut (ATTAK), Nyssa (ATTYP)
*snip*
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/tables
About the Elizabethport factory:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/elizabethport
https://www.ericwilliamsblog.com/left-behind-in-elizabeth-the-singer-manufacturing-company-part-1/
https://www.ericwilliamsblog.com/left-behind-in-elizabeth-the-singer-manufacturing-company-part-2/
Here's a circa 1934 documentary made at Singer's Kilbowie/Clydebank factory:
https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/1592
And in case I forgot anything, here is a collection of vintage sewing machine links:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/285089-vintage-sewing-machine-help
But it can be a lot to sift through, so if you have any questions, you can ask them here in a comment.