I'm home. It's raining, so I've left the machine in the car. Haven't looked it over critically yet, but the head is fairly clean with lovely decals in very good shape- almost no wear, and no "pin rash". I hadn't realized how colorful this style of decal is. I've looked up the serial #- D257812- as being 1908, but the website I went to (oldsingerewingmachineblog) for the corresponding model # comes up with blank pages. The irons have a few light rust spots, but mostly glossy black paint. The case top has some water damage and a broken middle drawer. Haven't mucked out the goodie drawer yet, but no square key. Old razor blades, a few buttons, the usual grodie bra backs saved for their hooks, etc. Some of the decal's birds look like they have a bit of Black Forest influence in them- similar to the old cuckoo clock carvings. Will post pics tomorrow.
I haven't found anything yet about how many models and machines were made with this decal. For me it was worth all the drama. I can take a drawer from another case, and maybe the top also. I haven't tried to do any refinishing, but maybe this summer I will practice on an old piece of furniture. Plan to do a bit of light cleaning on the head next week. I doubt the story the machine belonged to the seller's Grammy's. The Good Samaritan who brought it partway shared the seller was part antique picker and part hoarder. Thank you for the good luck wishes!