Originally Posted by Deara
I had been holding out to share my latest machine until it arrived safely. She came this afternoon safe and sound.
Here she is: Singer Model 12 fiddlebase
If I did it correctly, I dated her to 1871 based on the first serial number in the picture shown.
Someone painted her. :cry: I suppose to cover bare metal and she has a faint partial decal. She has her shuttle and when her wheel is turned everything moves smoothly.:thumbup: She has been oiled and once I figure out her ins and outs,:shock: I think I would like to add a handcrank to her. :roll:
Billy, is it possible to turn her into a handcrank?
I looked to see if I have pictures on the computer, and unfortunately I don't, BUT--I have a repainted 1869 Model 12. My first reaction was the same as yours. After a while, I realized that my machine had been in good enough shape to have a professional repaint, probably during WWII, as it had the godzilla paint and a metal Singer insignia attached to the head. I decided my machine must have quite a history to have lived so long and been used through so many decades.
It came in a small (ugly!) brown and tan case that was marked "Eldredge B" on the inside, but had been cut out to hold the 12. There was a hand crank with it, but obviously not one that would fit it, as the Model 12 cannot take the modern Singer crank.
I kept the case, but sent off (to England) for a crank, removed the belt guard and had a <somewhat> working machine. I could never get it to make a truly decent stitch until some GFs and I got together for a Vintage Machine Weekend and determined that during the 1940's era redo, somone had put a modern needle clamp on this machine!! The clamp would only hold a 15 X 1 needle, which wouldn't work on a Model 12!! Luckily, I had a donor machine (doesn't everyone??), so replaced the entire needle bar, and the machine now sews.
She has been on loan to a GF for a couple of years. She uses it and my W & G electric to sew her period clothing.
I'm not Billy, but to answer your question--you must have a Model 12 HC (antique/vintage) for your machine; the modern one will not work.