So I picked up this rusted machine today -- what is it?
 

I bought a dinged up, gunked up (but not frozen), rusted machine early this afternoon. We're having a very large rain storm in this area and he was storing it *outside*. :hunf: ("Don't worry, it's under an overhang!", he assured me. Do people understand the concept of humidity and moisture in the air all around them?)

Here it is:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=496231&stc=1http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=496232&stc=1http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=496233&stc=1http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=496234&stc=1http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=496235&stc=1

The text on the slide plate:

"H. Nawratil
Mechaniker
Wien
VII Burgasse"

Serial #: 409325

Medallion says: "Schutz Marke"

I've Googled for about 20 minutes and couldn't find anything. Wien == Vienna. So it's possibly an Austrian machine?

The decals are shot. This is a complete refurb including a strip, sand, fill, sand, prime, sand, paint, sand...etc. I have no idea what I'm getting into but I blame all of you for getting me so deeply into this hobby. :hunf:

What is this gross machine?

1. It is a Singer 12 "Clone" I'll have to do some digging to find the maker. (first thought was a Henry Stewart, but...)
2. It is NOT is gross condition. it is actually in fairly nice condition.
3. Based on the bobbin winder I would guess 1890-1905 for a time frame.
4. The spacing of the two spool pins will be a key factor for the ID. most were much closer together on 12 clones

SchutzMark is like Trademark in the US

A Singer Model 12 manual will work for this in virtually every respects.

Does it have the shuttle?

I would STRONGLY suggest against stripping and repainting, but it is certainly yours to do with as you will.

EDIT: here is a machine with the same bade unfortunately listed here on NEEDLEBAR as "unknown"
http://needlebar.org/cm/displayimage..._display_media
[h=2][/h]

Great save. Glad the storm didn't get it!

Here are pictures of the underside. I think the shuttle is in there.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=496240&stc=1http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=496241&stc=1

Thanks for all that info, Steve. I knew I could count on someone here to point me in the right direction. Is the 12 the New Family? (I'm tabula rasa for anything prior to about 1953.)

The decals are almost completely gone. All that's left of most is some yellowed ghosting and a few roses/leaves that are severely compromised. I believe the pattern is the famous "Tightwad-ora" pattern. Once I know more, I'll make a decision on stripping and repainting but right now I think it looks kinda like hell.

There is quite a bit of interesting info on the Singer 12 "copies" that were made for the European market. I read that many companies did this right after the Sewing Consortium (or whatever it was) ended and that made it more difficult for Singer to sue the bejebeers out of everyone else.

very interesting reading, btw. There was a lot of money in sewing machines, and a very cut throat industry for a while.

Yes it is a 12 clone and yes the 12 manual will work. Steve is right on. I have a F&R 12 clone and even thou the boat shuttles are diff the 12 boat will work in my german 12 clone. I have found the german clones are better than the Singer 12 or at least mine is. Little better engineering I think.

Very nice machine - good rescue! I agree with Steve and Rodney and would probably leave the finish as is. When I was looking for info on the Singer 12s I read about the Sewing Consortium and the different clones that were developed in Europe - interesting history and comments that the ones from Germany were smoother stitchers and quieter.

It's a beautiful machine, and the golden rose painted on it, perhaps this is another flower you picked.

I think the machine is just lovely. I like all of the fiddle base machines.

It's not gross, it's neglected.