I travel a lot for my job and happened to be in the neighborhood of Belvidere, IL. I went to the Boone Historical Society because they were supposed to have a display of National Sewing Machine items. I was disappointed; they really didn't have much at all. However, they did have this 1890 Eldredge model, purchased in 1890 for $23.50. I think ours must be closer to 1896 by the looks of it, note the curved base and angular shape, and the iron legs on the cabinet. The shuttle and cover were exactly the same, I took the cover off, and the serial number on this was 149xxxx; mine begins with 327. I wish I had taken a picture of the serial number, I will if I ever go back. Thanks for the info on the #, mine is a "before" too, I just bought it last Saturday, but since I have the attachments and the manual, I should be able to fix and use it.
1890 Eldredge (National Sewing)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]165993[/ATTACH]
Original receipt
[ATTACH=CONFIG]165994[/ATTACH]