This is what I found (click to embiggen):
There is a compartment at the back of the machine with a sliding cover. Inside what I thought was a bag of needles, were also two bobbins, a hemming foot, and the quilting attachments!
I was thinking simply about selling this, but the people at quiltingboard.com have convinced me to have it restored instead. There is a gentleman there who does this work for a very reasonable amount of money (thankfully, because I think the shipping costs are going to be outrageous - this thing weighs a TON), and had already offered to spruce the old girl up.
From some quick research on the Internet, I managed to find the owner's manual on line, which is great because it explains how to care for the machine, how to thread it, wind bobbins and use the attachments.
The serial # is on the motor only and is 2B708408. I could not find anything on line indicating when it was made specifically. However, I did discover that National Sewing Machine made the actual sewing machine (and put the W.E. label on it) in their factory in Illinois, and Western Electric made the motor.
The motor is stamped with a patent date of May 22, 1917, and the website that told me about the mfr of the machine itself said that Western Electric stopped making these in 1918. So it seems that the machine was built in 1917 or 1918, and I may not necessarily find out exactly when.
Of course, it's got that "fussy" bobbin casing that I hate, and hopefully it won't give me a lot of tsuris when I try to use it. It may be a very nice machine to teach people with; I doubt that it runs terribly fast, and I expect it to be a fun and relaxing machine to use for piecing.
I also like how it's about the same age as my house, so it kind of "matches". I am looking forward to using it. Maybe I'll have it back in time for my birthday!
Its a beauty! Have it restored and it will be great for piecing. I love the "foot" pedal. Bernie
ReplyDeleteWay too cool!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I bought the same machine at a charity yard sale last year and yes, it runs but needs a new gasket to spin the hand wheel properly. I finally found a repair shop that specializes in antique sewing machines. And, yes, this baby does weigh a ton. I have all of the attachments, etc. I have a circa 1953 Kenmore with everything that I first learned to sew on and my Aunt is safe keeping my grandmother's Singer treadle machine for me until we can drive up to get it. I do most of my sewing on a 1970's Singer Stylist.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to learn that other folks appreciate the beauty and durability of the older machines. Quality never goes out of style!
I have the EXACT same machine but it says NATIONAL instead of Western Electric. My case cover does not say anything. The motor has National May 22 1917 also. The wood is in better condition. I use it to make heavy packs and have made a ballistic fabric car carrier. It does a wonderful job on heavy fabric, but I cannot find NEEDLES for it!! I was researching and found your site. Keep it!
ReplyDeleteI just got the same machine, I has "Rajah" trademark and is a treadle. till looking for more information. Glad I found this site.
ReplyDeleteWestern Union, a company which had established a reputation in the telegraph industry, recognized the sewing machine's market potential and offered a machine with its name affixed to it.
ReplyDeleteWestern Electric also offered a machine. Associated with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T), the company went on to market dishwashers, washing machines and other electrical appliances for the home. The Western Electric sewing machine was not made by Western Electric, but by the National Sewing Machine Company, Belvidere, Ill., which put Western Electric decals on one of their models.
The electric motor, however, was produced by Western Electric. Production lasted only a few years; the machine disappeared from the market by 1918. Western Electric would continue to be recognized as a leader in the design and manufacture of telecommunications equipment.