Yes- Eldredge and National are the same, The original company name was "Eldredge" and they merged with June and I believe one other, and the new company formed was named "National" however, they kept using the name "Eldredge" along with about 600 other names. National is one of the companies that would "badge" their machines with just about any name the buyer wanted. However Eldredge is a National company name, not a "badge" for a reseller.

The earliest were made before the merge, and are badged Eldredge, however Natioanl used the name at later dates, so having one with the Eldredge name does not indicate it's older. Mine is Eldredge and was bought new in the 30's (I have the original documentation).

The first use a different style of can, it's got "wings" on it. I acquired one like that, but it does not fit my machine. the later two styles don't have those wings and are very similar, and I believe are interchangeable.

Caroline, that's as good a reason for saving them as anything! LOL! MY cousin has a supply of them she's saved for many years, so the next time we go to Oklahoma, I'll get to bring a few of them home to use!

Jeanette

Cathy,

I think the patent date on my machine is 1913 or 1914, right now it's sitting on the floor waiting for its cabinet to be refinished and I can't get down on the floor -- If I did, I'd never be able to get up! LOL! Of course, the patent date doesn't mean the machine was manufactured on that date. All I know is that it belonged to my husband's great grandmother.

I went and looked - the most "recent" patent date on mine is 1913 - and I know it was bought brand new in the 30's. So I guess they just kept using the older design. This is what throws many people off on dating machines, expecially Willcox and Gibbs because they always put the patent dates on the machine, and at the last, the patent was about 50 years old.

The patent dates on mine are
8/8/11
10/31/11
11/28/11
9/16/13

If your machine is missing the 9/16/13 date, then it's probably safe to assume it was made before that date - otherwise you'll have to go by something else to date it.

This site has quite a bit of info

http://2spools.blogspot.com/

The first picture shows three machines of different ages - but they all look very similar on the outside. One thing to keep in mind, the very oldest will be Eldredge, however the very youngest can also be Eldredge (as mine is).

Some tidbits - this sight says all the machines have the same patent dates, early ones have a HXXXX serial number, mine is H61241. So if yours has a HXXXXX (five digit) number, it's not going to be from 1913, and if it's got a H5XXXX or later, it's one of the last made, in the 30's

I have a can for the oldest style, so I'm looking for a machine that it goes with. The most notable difference is that the slide plate does not "slide" but has a pivot point instead. So that's not too hard to look for in pictures.

Cathy,

I finally reached my National Two Spool Machine. It's serial No. is H35106 and the slide plate does have date of August 8, 1911 and September 6, 1913 as the patent dates. It really doesn't matter to me when -- it's the machine that belonged to my husband's great grandmother, my son's great, great grandmother. i really, really wish these machines could talk. I'm sure they'd have almost unbelievable stories to tell!

Jeanette

Don't have a camera or a way to put a pic on the computer,but have had a National 2 spool treadle SM for years. Just the couple of weeks ago I found some wooden thread spools so am looking forward to getting it going. Now I need a manual for it. Anyone know where I can find one??

The first picture you posted of the whole machine cracked me up. It's using a bobbin to wind thread onto a spool. Just my sense of humor I guess, just struck me funny for a two spool machine.
There is a beautiful electric two spool (National) on eBay right now.

I think I have what you are looking for...
I inherited an Eldredge Two Spool in excellent condition with serial number H9045. It is unique in that it is in a beautiful wooden case and has a swing around Hamilton Beach motor drive. It has some extras and it all works except it is missing the spool can (the older version). I was researching the history of the two spool when I came across this site. Would you be willing to sell your spool can or would you be interested purchasing the sewing machine? I will try to attach some pictures.