I opened up the base and found an Altoids tin that had two rather large screws in it... I also looked inside the top and there was nothing in there either. Slipped the tin into the case holder. I did take a shot of the empty base! No dead bugs or anything... (even peeked a bit under the metal -- no love letters)
I did notice it wasn't so easy to get the piece of fabric out from under the needle
It wasn't with the machine but in the boxes of craft supplies there is a printout of the Singer 27 & 28 Instructions -- it is not an exact match, mostly the bobbin winder.
The machine worked smoothly and easily, and has that well cared for oiled smell -- in the pictures of the auction the case looked much more beat up and dingy than it is in real life. I'm thinking the previous owner had this at least serviced, there wasn't anyone at the auction pick-up related to the family so no oral history.