The old machines can sew over pins much the same way moderns do. The old needles were ridig and stiffer, most of the newer are made to be more flexible and when hitting a neelde slides to the side of it. The newer type needle were common in the 1960s, not sure when they were first introduced. If you don't sew too fast it should work on all machines with a straight vertical needle position. If you have a model easily thrown out of timing you might not want to attempt it. My 99, 201, Bernina, and Elna have no problem with it. In addition to what's mentioned it can make the stitches slighly more uneven.