Posted 2 years ago
hlc1975
(1 item)
Cleaning out my grandmother's house and came across this sewing machine. Serial number says AC 001166. Would love to know more about it.
My grandmother's sewing machine | ||
| Singer Sewing Machines13 of 701 |  |  |
My grandmother's sewing machine | ||
| Singer Sewing Machines13 of 701 | | |
Posted 2 years ago
hlc1975
(1 item)
Cleaning out my grandmother's house and came across this sewing machine. Serial number says AC 001166. Would love to know more about it.
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Hi, hlc1975. :-)
Wow, your grandmother's sewing machine. That is so great. <3
Per the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society, serial number AC001166 was one of a block of 50,000 consecutive serial numbers ([AC]000001 through [AC]050000) allotted by Singer's central office to their Elizabethport factory February 1, 1928. All were intended to be stamped into the beds of model 66 sewing machine heads.
Your grandmother's model 66 sewing machine head probably rolled off of the assembly line some time between the allotment date of its block (February 1, 1928), and the allotment date of the next block intended for model 66 sewing machine heads (May 22, 1928):
*snip*
AC- 000001 050000 66 50000 February 1 1928
AC- 142066 177065 66 35000 May 22 1928
*snip*
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-ac-series-serial-numbers.html
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer_dating_by_serial_number.html
About the Singer model 66 (a model much beloved by vintage sewing machine enthusiasts):
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/66
Here is a 1929 manual for the model 66:
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/singer-model-66-sewing-machine-manual.pdf
The decal set is called Filigree:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/decals/decal04
The rear access panel looks like 66K (Simanco 32633):
https://d33wubrfki0l68.cloudfront.net/aaf1e9a0eb677f9ebeaf2f7c5b926d4e45bd7023/82484/images/gallery/gf66kpanel-240.jpg
I can't see the face plate, but if it matches the rear access panel, it's probably 66K (Simanco 32667):
https://d33wubrfki0l68.cloudfront.net/1d735598186739adb61e143e8e4d152b16763adf/64ac7/images/gallery/gf66k-240x360.jpg
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/gallery_faceplates
The cabinet looks like a plainer (more modern) version of Cabinet Table No. 5 or No. 6:
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/5-6_cab.html
I don't see a treadle belt, but replacements are readily available if you want to try your hand at doing that. You can get one from many sources online, but here are a couple of reputable vendors:
https://www.vintagesingerparts.com/products/treadle-sewing-machine-leather-belt-3-16-x-72-part-p60013
https://singer-featherweight.com/products/belt-treadle-leather-for-antique-singer-machines
Here is advice from an expert on fitting a replacement:
https://www.quiltingroomwithmel.com/2017/03/replacing-treadle-sewing-machine-belts.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/
About the factory where the cabinet was probably made:
https://orangebeanindiana.com/2019/06/12/south-bends-singer-sewing-machine-company/
In case I'm forgetting anything, here is my collection of vintage sewing machine links:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/285089-help-for-vintage-sewing-machines
However, it's a lot to sift through, so if you have any questions (other than value, which I don't do), just ask them here in a comment on your post.
Thank you! Love all of this great info. One of the drawers has parts in it- my dad and I are going to see if we can get it put back together and working.
hlc1975, You're more than welcome. :-)
I'm so glad to read that you and your father are going to try to get it running again.
It sounds like you could use a few more specfic resources.
Below are links to parts lists for various submodels of the Singer model 66. I do suspect your grandmother's machine is one of the lower submodels (however, not the 66-1, because that has the back-clamping presser foot):
https://www.hendersonsewing.com/manual.asp?page=40&sf=searchall&search2=%28%28searchlike%7Eres%5Ftable%2Etxt1%7ESINGER%29%29&pagesize=50&s=SINGER&filters=
https://www.universalsewing.com/tek9.asp?pg=parts_singer
Here is a brief service manual:
https://archive.org/details/singer-66-service-manual-en/page/n1/mode/2up
Here is some expert advice from somebody who's serviced and refurbished many vintage sewing machines:
https://pungolivinghome.com/blog-3/tutorials/
He offeres a couple of important warnings for newbies:
https://pungolivinghome.com/2022/02/02/a-tutorial-one-very-important-disassembly-tip-for-your-sewing-machine-restoration/
https://pungolivinghome.com/2020/01/22/a-tutorial-replacing-the-bobbin-hook-race-felt-on-a-singer-model-66-and-99-sewing-machine/
Their contact information in case you have questions that aren't addressed in any of the tutorials:
https://pungolivinghome.com/home-2/contact-us/
Good luck to you both. :-)