Posted 2 years ago
Littlebuddy
(1 item)
Manchester patented November 30th 1886 model number 12222034 I purchased this at the Goodwill and was wanting to know if anybody knew the brand of this sewing machine
Manchester patented November 30th 1886 sewing machine | ||
| Sewing130 of 2600 |  |  |
Hi, Littlebuddy. Cool. :-)
Am I right in 'assuming' that "Manchester" is something you see faint traces of in the decals on the horizontal arm? (I can't see it at all.)
Anyway, I think your machine is a National VB-TT Type 4 vibrating shuttle:
http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php?title=File:03natdetroit1019108a.jpg
It seems to check out against the listed characteristics nicely (information below from the needlebar dot org chart has been reformatted to be intelligible here at CW S&T):
*snip*
Model: VB-TT Type 4
Size: Full
Body Shape: Angular
Inspection Plates: Shoulder
Upper Tension: Top Leaf
Stitch Length Control: Bed Screw
Notes: (Detroit)
*snip*
http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php/National_Vibrating_Shuttle_Machines
FYI, the "Detroit" in the notes is merely the badge name on the particular machine they are using to illustrate a VB-TT Type 4.
In fact, "Manchester B" is a known badge name used by the National Sewing Machine Company:
http://needlebar.org/main/makers/usa/national/index.html#m
As to age, you've probably figured out that your machine can't be any older than the listed 1886 patent (I see that patent cited a lot online).
I don't know for certain if this is the right one, but here is a November 30, 1886 patent for a shuttle:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US353381A/en
How new is your machine?
Your machine with the serial number "12222034" (is that number underneath the front slide plate?) is probably older than Wayne Schmidt's 1913 Brunswick-badged National vibrating shuttle (model number unknown) with the serial number "2167857," and his circa 1914 Willamette D-Badged VB-TT Type 5 with the serial number "2296351" which have been dated by other means:
http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/Antique%20Sewing%20Machines.html
So, your machine is probably 1886-1913 vintage. Sorry, I realize that's quite a range, but there is no central database of National serial numbers. :-(
About National:
https://ismacs.net/national/from_eldredge_to_national_to_janome.html
Whoops, in reading back, I realized that my eyes skipped a digit in the serial number you posted (12222034).
At eight digits, that's actually a pretty high serial number, and would make it a lot newer than Wayne Schmidt's two National vibrating shuttle machines, because they both have seven digit serial numbers.
Could you add a picture of the serial number to your post, or recheck it (perhaps you had a slip of the finger and put one too many 2 digits in it)?
As long as I'm at it, you may have noticed in the article I linked above about the National Sewing Machine Company that it technically didn't exist before 1890.
The name "Eldredge Sewing Machine Company seems to be missing from the other article:
*snip*
The Eldredge Sewing Machine Company was originally located in Chicago, Ill, and manufactured machines from 1869 through 1890. Also located in Illinois, the June Manufacturing Company manufactured sewing machines from 1881 through 1890. The National Sewing Machine Company was formed in 1890 from their consolidation.
*snip*
https://www.geocities.ws/claw.geo/eldredge.html
I don't whether that little window between 1886 and 1980 necessarily applies to your machine, but it's worth noting.
D'oh!
This:
I don't whether that little window between 1886 and 1980 necessarily applies to your machine, but it's worth noting.
Should have read:
I don't whether that little window between 1886 and 1890 necessarily applies to your machine, but it's worth noting.
That aside, I'm still wondering about the serial number on your machine. If it indeed is the eight digit "12222034," then that would make it newer than both of Wayne Schmidt's dated National Sewing Machine Company vibrating shuttle machines (sorry the CW S&T software doesn't allow for tidy columns):
BADGE MAKE MODEL SERIAL NUMBER AGE
BRUNSWICK NATIONAL UNK 2167857 1913
WILLAMETTE D NATIONAL VB-TT Type 5 2296351 1914
MANCHESTER B NATIONAL VB-TT Type 4 12222034 Post 1914
If it is instead the seven digit "1222034," then it would be older:
BADGE MAKE MODEL SERIAL NUMBER AGE
MANCHESTER B UNK VB-TT Type 4 1222034 1886-1912
BRUNSWICK NATIONAL UNK 2167857 1913
WILLAMETTE D NATIONAL VB-TT Type 5 2296351 1914
FYI, I put "UNK" as the maker of your machine in the second age lineup only because if it had rolled off of the assembly line before circa 1890, then it probably would have been made by the Eldredge Sewing Machine Company, rather than the National Sewing Machine Company.
It looks just like the Premier sewing machine I just purchased. If I can figure out how I will upload some pictures of mine.
Hi, DJDehne. :-)
In order to upload pictures to Collectors Weekly Show & Tell, you'll have to create a post of your own. Please do, we love to see vintage sewing machines. FYI, Premier was a known badge for the National Sewing Machine Company.