Posted 3 years ago
Shushusews
(1 item)
Imperial machine. Found at a tag sale. Does anyone have info. I would love any information that could help me date this machine. There are not identifying factors other that the name on the motor and a serial number C21587.
Hi, Shushusews. :-)
Beautiful. The japanning is in good shape, and the decals looks to be in excellent shape.
Your machine looks like a clone of a Singer vibrating shuttle machine, perhaps either a model 127, or 128, because it it has some of the hallmark features (the trapezoidal access panel, the circular needle plate, the dual slide plates, and a high-mounted bobbin winder):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Singer.Model27.IdentificationGuide.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer_Model_27_and_127
Based on what I can currently see, there is no other company name other than Imperial on the machine. Is there perhaps more information on the underside?
After WWII, Japan became a major player in the sewing machine industry:
https://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/2006/05/japanese-clones-of-40s-50s-and-60s.html
BTW, don't think that "clone" is some kind of slur. Frequently, the Japanese makers would improve on the original, and make a quality machine.
Because your machine has a black finish with elaborate decals, it's tempting to say that it's an early Japanese clone.
Fairly early on, Japanese makers started making sewing machines in other colors, and not just the dull tans that so many U.S. sewing machine makers seem to have transitioned to in the 1950 and 1960s.
So, how old is it? Probably no older than 1945. As I wrote higher up, perhaps there are more clues on the underside of your machine.
BTW, I neglected to mention that the rear access panel is one more clue that your machine is a Singer vibrating shuttle 'clone.' Most rear access panels on vintage Singers are circular, but the ones for their vibrating shuttle sewing machines had that distinctive pear shape, e.g.:
28K, 128K (Simanco 8427)
https://d33wubrfki0l68.cloudfront.net/cd10028fecd163be50bc5ce8bbf6c3cf77bf9ad2/8a40a/images/gallery/gf28panel-240.jpg
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/gallery_faceplates
Here's another Japanese clone of a Singer 128:
*snip*
1950's-1960's "Commodore" made in Japan. This is a clone of a Singer 128 plus a reverse lever. Newly decoupaged base.
*snip*
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/154459462196917425/
It looks as though yours might also have a reverse lever, which would be an example of a Japanese improvement, as the Singer model 128 never had a reverse function.
As to what you might find on the underside of your machine, in addition to any actual company name spelled out, there might be a JA/JC code, which would be a clue as to the actual maker of the machine:
http://www.doubleveil.net/zssmp/resources.htm#jajc