What a fabulous find! Yes, you have a true antique (pre-1900) as opposed to a vintage machine. Go to the vintage machines thread here on the board and you will find tons of info. That is also where lostn51 (Billy) hangs out and he is the most knowledgeable person I know of when it comes to the old machines. He helped me identify mine.

Wow.... cool machine. Yes, it's a long bobbin machine. Can't tell without seeing a picture of the whole head/face... if it's 3/4 size or full sized. I would check out the ISMACS website, to look at dates, which machines were manufactured when in the Singer lineup. Being that old, it's not the 'newer' Vibrating Shuttle machine, has to be earlier than that with a S/N dating to 1898.

The Sphinx decals were very popular and used on a lot of different Singers. It's interesting to me, that the feet are side clampers, it's got the bobbin winder mech. low down on the pillar, add on motor for sure. Awesome spoke wheel.

I'd say you found a beauty. And like someone else said, treadle her. Also, post some more pics if you can.... that show the whole machine?

She's an oldie, but a goodie!
Have fun with her!

The site I looked at indicated 1874. You'll get more info if you post a question here http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1038.htm#3221299

wow you have a great find there thanks for sharing

It looks like a Model 27 or 28 just from looking at the rear of the machine. I have several of them and I have not seen that type of inspection plate before so I am thinking it was replaced with another manufacturers sometime in its long life. The 28 is a 3/4 machine and the 27 is full sized. The bed length on a full sized machine is just over 14". The bobbins can be found at Hancocks or Jo Anns and they will look like little barbells, and it will use the standard 15x1 needle.

Either way you have a nice piece of history in your hands and if I were you I would pull the motor off of it slap it back in the treadle and make a quilt with it. :thumbup:

Billy

Billy -

Thanks for chiming in. I want to do your clean-up on it and see how it looks. As for the treadle, it came with a box case like it was always portable, but I guess it's pretty certain it hasn't always been electric. Any suggestions about where/how to find a treadle cabinet for it?

Thanks,

Darren

You can sometimes find cabinets with no machine or really bad condition machines on Craigslist. I have seen some on there, and in your area should be fairly affordable.

Here are a couple more pics. I haven't really looked at this thing yet, so I don't even know if it has a bobbin or shuttle. According to the site I looked at (link on page 1 by QuiltnCowgirl) this is a Model 27.

Very cool accessories/bobbins....All the best in the search for a treadle base.