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Antique Treadle sewing machine

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Non-Singer Sewing Machines7 of 454Manchester patented November 30th 1886 sewing machine1894 Willcox & Gibbs chain stitch sewing machine
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    Posted 2 years ago

    eclecticem…
    (3 items)

    My dumpster-diving hubby brought this antique treadle sewing machine home yesterday. We have both looked carefully online and are unable to find anything about this label/maker. We tried various combinations since the old-school lettering is difficult to read. C&G, G&C, B&C and can't find any other machines like this. We looked underneath too...nada. Has anyone ever seen this maker/brand before? Any help with identification will be greatly appreciated.

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    Comments

    1. keramikos, 2 years ago
      Hi, eclecticempire. :-)

      Cool.

      Off the top, I don't think that font can read as "B. & C." if only because that first character doesn't look like the "B" in "Bro's."

      If I had to guess (and I guess I have to guess), I'd say "G. & C. Bro's. Special."

      Not that this gives us a lot of traction. I didn't see it at needlebar dot org as a badge name, but that's not conclusive because vintage sewing machine badge names were legion.

      I've already taken a look at vintage Davis machines, and I don't think it's one of theirs.

      That leads me to think that it's some variety of a vibrating shuttle, possibly a White, e.g.:

      https://vintagesewingmachinesblog.wordpress.com/category/sewing-machines/mechanism/vibrating-shuttle/

      I'll look some more, but I just wanted you to know that your post isn't being ignored.
    2. keramikos, 2 years ago
      Hi again, eclecticempire. :-)

      I suspect you might have a badged A. G. Mason:

      https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/277600-white-mason-line-sewing-machine-and-cabi

      https://www.pinterest.com/pin/600456562794424379/

      https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/golden-star-machine-ag-mason-t278365.html

      http://ancientpoint.com/inf/91616-very_rare_antique_a___g___mason_co_new_defender_treadle_sewing_machine_must_see.html
    3. eclecticempire, 2 years ago
      Thank you so much for your response. We concluded the same about the badge name, but still could find no information. So, the badge name and the manufacturer name are not one in the same? Your sleuthing help, and knowlege of vintage sewing machines, is very much appreciated!
    4. keramikos, 2 years ago
      eclecticempire, You're quite welcome. :-)

      No, a badge name and a manufacturer name are not the same. I probably should have explained the term badge:

      http://needlebar.org/main/badged/index.html

      Probably the all-time champion badger was the National Sewing Machine Company; however, your machine doesn't look like a National. It does look like an A. G. Mason.

      If you ignore the decals, that Golden Star badged A. G. Mason really does look quite similar:

      Dual slide plates
      Rectangular needle plate
      Stitch length assembly on the bed in front of the pillar.
      Forward-facing tension assembly
      Two spool pins
      Angular pillar with the cyclinder shape at the shoulder
      Spherical shape on the top of the needlebar

      Here's one badged as New Queen (with some A. G. Mason history in the description):

      https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/queen-sewing-machine-made-mason-mfg-457927301

      A. G. Mason did engage in badging, but I didn't find your particular one at needlebar dot org, although Golden Star and New Queen are known:

      http://needlebar.org/main/makers/usa/agmason/index.html

      Vintage sewing machine badge names are legion, so it's not too surprising to encounter badge names that aren't in the lists at needlebar dot org.
    5. eclecticempire, 2 years ago
      Upon closer inspection, now that you gave me more specific things to look for, I believe you are correct. I can now look at it with a "different eye". It's in pretty rough shape and I likely won't try to restore it, but I know folks who may want it. I truly appreciate your in-depth knowledge. I really enjoy this website! The detailing on the one remaining drawer, which I'd removed to clean, looks the same as the New Queen.
    6. keramikos, 2 years ago
      eclecticempire, Thanks for the tidbit about the drawer. I was wondering why the cabinet looked a bit odd. :-)

      The treadle irons look very similar as well.

      As to A. G. Mason, there seems to be some ambiguity and confusion.

      The late great Bernadette opined that A. G. Mason wasn't a manufacturer:

      https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/167991-1907-golden-star

      However, Grace Rogers Cooper thinks he was a manufacturer, albeit a small one:

      https://archive.org/details/sewingmachineit00coop/page/160/mode/1up

      White seems to have gotten into a bit of legal trouble over their so-called Mason line:

      https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/a-g-mason-lawsuit-11624417?trail=500

      https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/reports_annual/annual-report-1922/ar1922_0.pdf

      I think that a lot of people in the 21st century don't understand what a revolutionary invention the sewing machine was -- and how fierce the competition was back in the 19th and 20th century.

      BTW, I'm not an expert; I'm just an old Internet surfer who's developed something of a fascination with vintage sewing machines in the last few years. };-)

      I'm glad that you like Collectors Weekly Show & Tell, and that you might rehome your A. G. Mason with somebody who will appreciate it.

      Good luck. :-)

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