Posted 2 years ago
Ultrabeanjls
(1 item)
I can't not figure out the brand of this sewing machine - the little manual that came with it says Astor Deluxe Electric Sewing Machine but it doesn't look like the picture nor has ASTOR on it. The pictures show it says International and near the bottom it is Family Sewing Machine made in Japan.
Hi, Ultrabeanjls. :-)
I suspect that what you have is one of the many 'clone' sewing machines made in post-WWII Japan.
In this case, it isn't a clone of the famous Singer model 15, but perhaps it's a clone of a Singer model 66 or 99 (the 99 being the 66's three-quarters sized sibling), because it has a forward-facing disc tension assembly.
Judging from the body shape, I doubt it's 1940s/1950s vintage; it looks more like 1960s or later.
Google Lens didn't turn up any twins. :-(
BTW, the term "clone" is neither quite accurate nor some kind of slur:
https://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/2006/05/japanese-clones-of-40s-50s-and-60s.html
You might have to examine the underside for clues as to the maker.
Zorba the Veiled Male has done a lot of research on the codes either cast into or stamped on the undersides of vintage Japanese sewing machine heads. BTW, don't let the odd handle throw you; Zorba knows a lot about vintage sewing machines:
(Scroll down to where it says "Japanese JA and JC numbers")
http://www.doubleveil.net/zssmp/resources.htm
He's identified codes for Brother, Janome, Koyo, Happy, Maruzen, Riccar, Sanshin, and Toyota (yes, that Toyota), among others.
I spy the name "International" in his list for Koyo (JA-13).
However, you should probably still check the underside of your machine. Sewing machine badge names were legion decades ago.