Posted 2 years ago
dp867412
(1 item)
Was recently given this sewing machine from my Grandpa and I am having a hard time identifying it. I have a hunch that this is a 'knock off' Singer of some kind (Ive looked through images of just about everyone ever made and it doesnt look like any of them), but I'd love some input or hints on where I can find some more info about it.
He used it for the past 40 years sewing leather and vinyl doing upholstery but as far as details he didn't know much about it (or mostly forgot).
The serial number found on the machine is W692062, which doesn't appear to line up with any serial I can find. It looks like later in its life it was converted from a pedal to a knee lever as the pedal has been disconnected. Its definitely made out of cast iron and weighs an absurd amount.
Thanks!
Hi, dp867412. :-)
What you have is a Singer industrial sewing machine made in their Bridgeport, Connecticutt factory, and unfortunately, the records for that location are pretty sketchy:
*snip*
Bridgeport
Year of issue
From To
W 1,500,000 1954
*snip*
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer_dating_by_serial_number.html
About the Bridgeport Singer factory:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/bridgeport
Unfortunately, it looks like the model number plate (as well as the Singer medallion) has been removed from the pillar of the machine. I see holes where they used to be.
Here is an industrial machine that I think might be a candidate, at least with regard to the major family, 111W. ISMACS doesn't have pictures of every single machine. There were hundreds:
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model-list/images100-199/111w100.jpg
*snip*
One needle, belt driven rotary hook; lockstitch, For stitching medium and heavy fabrics like overcoats, overalls, oil clothing, etc. Compound feed (drop and needle feeds). Speed 3000 spm.
*snip*
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model-list/classes-100-199.html
Whoops, Not Connecticutt, but rather Connecticut. >8-0
As to more records, the University of Wisconsin has some, but not all of them have been digitized:
https://search.library.wisc.edu/catalog/999464982502121
Thank you! It's definitely in the 111W family. From there I guess I just have to figure out the nuances between the versions. Looking around though it seems really similar to a 111W153
The Singer 11W153, huh?
Somebody at the leatherworkers dot net forum has one of those. Here's a nice closeup for comparision:
https://leatherworker.net/forum/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-41354-0-10565000-1426382840.jpg
The various members opine about the model:
https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/62355-singer-111w153-worth-getting/
Here are some manuals (the parts list mentions a knee lifter):
https://docs.uwe.net/Singer-Class-111-Instructions.pdf
https://www.universalsewing.com/images2/parts_lists/all/okslro3l.pdf
Whoops, that is to say, the Singer 111W153,
Hi again, dp867412. :-)
I don't know if you're still monitoring this post, but I just came across this great Singer-made slide chart for W prefix serial numbers, courtesy of the leatherworker dot net forum:
https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/82112-singer-age-by-serial-numbers-slide-chart/
Per that chart, your machine would be pre-1940 (and Singer didn't take over Wheeler & Wilson's Bridgeport factory until 1905).
I realize that still isn't precise, but it's better than any other source that I've seen and way better than a sharp stick in the eye. };-)