Originally Posted by
SteveH
So here is the quandary...
The serial number on the top of the back slide translates to 1867
The serial number on the bottom of the front slide that matched the serial number stamped on the bed shows 1862
The cabinet has a brass latch plate which has an 1864 patent.
So, the quest to understand it's history is on....
Here is my best guess:
The machine is from 1862. It stayed in the warehouse until it met its cabinet, and was sold in 1864 or possibly a bit later. Now, choose your own adventure:
a) Purchased in 1864, the new owner's dog ate the top back slide bit, and they bought a new part at the store.
or:
b) The machine was actually in the warehouse until 1867, and the top back slide bit had been knocked off by a clumsy night-shift worker and lost ages ago; the shipping dude then grabbed a new plate from the shiny box of new plates.
Eh?
;-)