Posted 3 years ago
SJG
(3 items)
Inherited from a relative. Would anyone know how old this lovely singer machine- mahogany veneer - is and which country it was made in? Code: J1327410.
Singer machine in mahogany veneer cabinet | ||
| SJG's items3 of 3 |  |  |
Hi, SJG. :-)
Thank you for trascribing the serial number, because I was indeed having trouble reading some of the characters/numbers in the little serial number cartouche.
Unfortunately, I think you probably had a slip of the finger when you transcribed it as "J1327410," because per the serial number tables at the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society (ISMACS) website, that would mean your machine is a model 25K (an industrial model), and it would look something like this:
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model-list/images0-99/25-1.jpg
Your machine looks nothing like that.
I suspect that the serial number might instead have a "G" character prefix.
Serial number "G1327410" was one of a block of 50,000 consecutive serial numbers (1283401 through 1333400) allotted by the Singer central office to one of its factories on June 15 1911, and all were destined to be stamped into the beds of model 15 machines:
*snip*
G- 1283401 1333400 15 50000 June 15 1911
G- 1496101 1531100 15 35000 September 18 1911
*snip*
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-g-series-serial-numbers.html
FYI, the reason why I excerpted a second line of information from the serial number table is to give you an idea of when your machine might have rolled off of the assembly line. That second line is the next block of serial numbers intended for model 15 machines.
In 1911, WWI hadn't yet started, so barring some other problem (e.g., a worker strike, or a factory machine breakdown), your machine probably rolled off the line some time between June 15 and September 18 in 1911.
Your machine does indeed look like a model 15 (for people used to looking at vintage Singer sewing machines, the tension assembly protruding from the faceplate is a major clue).
However, if you didn't know that, and you stumbled on Sandman-Collectibles' Singer Sewing Machine Identification Template, it would have guided you to it:
https://www.sandman-collectibles.com/id-singer-machines.htm
https://www.sandman-collectibles.com/id-singer-machines.htm#9
Sandman further identifies it as an "early" model 15 (because it lacks the little pulley near the serial number cartouche). "Early" is a relative term; however, considering how long the model 15 was in production (into the 1950s), 1911 is early.
Your decal set looks like "Paperclip," which is interesting, because that's a decal set that frequently was applied to refurbished machines:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/decals/decal07
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/decals/domestics/paperclips.html
I can't tell what your faceplate and back access panel look like, but here is a gallery of them for you to browse:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/gallery_faceplates
Your cabinet looks like some slight variation on the number 23 open side cabinet:
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/open_side_cabinet_23-24.html
About the Singer model 15:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/15
This chart really gets down into the weeds of the characteristics of the various minor models of the 15:
http://needlebar.org/main/15chart/index.html
I think I'd go with model 15-30. Here's a manual for the Singer 15-30:
https://www.manualsdir.com/manuals/639693/singer-15-30-treadle-sewing-machine-15-15-30-treadle-sewing-machine.html
Most of the G serial number machines were made at Singer's Elizabethport factory:
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer_dating_by_serial_number.html
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 is the factory where your cabinet was probably made:
https://orangebeanindiana.com/2019/06/12/south-bends-singer-sewing-machine-company/
In case I'm forgetting something, here is my collection of vintage sewing machine links:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/285089-vintage-sewing-machine-help
However, it's a lot to sift through, so if you have more questions, you can just ask them here in a comment.
Hi Keramikos,
Well, thank you so much for your time in tracing the history and origins of this sewing machine. I can't quite believe how detailed you have been and rather surprised to learn how old it is and to see the likely factory of origin. The code is curious though. The first digit really does look like a J . I can't make out a G. Thank you for so much information, I will be sure to have a look at this.
SJG, You're very welcome. :-)
Singer sewing machines are so well documented, that most of my time is spent riding herd on myself not to commit too many errors of editing (I see I had a slip of the finger right out of the gate with "trascribing" instead of "transcribing" >8-0 ).
If you want to try to enhance the readibility of that stamped serial number, you could rub it with a dark crayon, and then lightly wipe away the excess.
I like the style of your cabinet for keeping the works down below free from dust.
My Granny sewed on a treadle machine all during my childhood whereas my mother sewed on an electric one.
I always made a pest of myself crowding in close to see all the action, even getting rightly blamed for my mom sewing her index finger, right thru the fingernail. My mom never let me forget it either! But I digress.….Back to your machine:
Treadle machine are fun to sew on. Lucky you for receiving one in such nice shape.
Yours looks like it’s ready to go. I hope you will keep us posted by showing off your first project!
Ahh thankyou for your sharing of stories. Sadly i'm not a seamstress...