James,
Yes it could be. I know about the VS machines, I have one .... or three
. In the case of this machine supposedly the grandmother or great-grandmother of it's owners bought it new. That could be a pre-1900 machine or an early 1900s machine.
I've not seen pics of it yet, but my SIL is trying to get one. I've also asked her to get the history of the machine so I can keep them together.
I guess in a way I'm hoping for a pre-1900s machine cos I don't yet have one. But I'll gladly accept what ever it is.
Joe